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PART III

GN(A) 5 (Issued 1983) Guidance Note on Terms Used


in Financial Statements
The following is the text of the guidance note issued with a view to clarify the important terms (including
phrases) commonly used in the preparation and presentation of general purpose financial statements.
These statements include balance sheet, statement of profit and loss and other statements and
explanatory notes which form part thereof, issued for the use of shareholders/members, creditor,
employees and public at large.

Introduction
1. The objective of this guidance note is to facilitate a broad and basic understanding of the various
terms as well as to promote consistency and uniformity in their usage. As such it does not purport to
provide a comprehensive or rigid dictionary.
2. The basic considerations to be borne in mind when selecting terms for use in the financial
statements are clarity, significance and consistency.
3. This guidance note does not primarily cover the terms used in a specific sense by certain
specialised institutions, e.g., banks, insurance companies, financial institutions or electricity companies.
However, it is possible that some of the terms defined here may have common application for such
institutions.
4. Many of the terms have, over a period of time, acquired a worldwide usage and recognition.
Therefore, while formulating this guidance note, the Accounting Standards Board has taken into
consideration the terminologies in use in various countries as formulated by their respective
professional bodies.
5. The terms have been defined in this note, keeping in view their usage in the preparation and
presentation of the financial statements. Some of these terms may have different meanings when used
in the context of certain special enactments.
6. The definitions of the terms in this guidance note do not spell out the accounting procedure and
are not prescriptive of a course of action.

General Definitions
1.01 Absorption Costing
A method whereby the cost is determined so as to include the appropriate share of both variable and
fixed costs.

1.02 Acceptance
The drawees signed assent on bill of exchange, to the order of the drawer. This term is also used to
describe a bill of exchange that has been accepted.

1.03 Account Receivable


See Sundry Debtor

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1.04 Accounting Policies


The specific accounting principles and the methods of applying those principles adopted by an
enterprise in the preparation and presentation of financial statements.

1.05 Accrual
Recognition of revenues and costs as they are earned or incurred (and not as money is received or
paid). It includes recognition of transactions relating to assets and liabilities as they occur irrespective
of the actual receipts or payments.

1.06 Accrual Basis of Accounting


The method of recording transactions by which revenues, costs, assets and liabilities are reflected in
the accounts in the period in which they accrue. The accrual basis of accounting includes
considerations relating to deferrals, allocations, depreciation and amortisation. This basis is also
referred to as mercantile basis of accounting.

1.07 Accrued Asset


A developing but not yet enforceable claim against another person which accumulates with the
passage of time or the rendering of service or otherwise. It may arise from the rendering of services
(including the use of money) which at the date of accounting have been partly performed, and are not
yet billable.

1.08 Accrued Expense


An expense which has been incurred in an accounting period but for which no enforceable claim has
become due in that period against the enterprise. It may arise from the purchase of services (including
the use of money) which at the date of accounting have been only partly performed, and are not yet
billable.

1.09 Accrued Liability


A developing but not yet enforceable claim by another person which accumulates with the passage of
time or the receipt of service or otherwise. It may arise from the purchase of services (including the use
of money) which at the date of accounting have been only partly performed, and are not yet billable.

1.10 Accrued Revenue


Revenue which has been earned in an accounting period but in respect of which no enforceable claim
has become due in that period by the enterprise. It may arise from the rendering of services (including
the use of money) which at the date of accounting have been partly performed, and are not yet billable.

1.11 Accumulated Depletion


The total to date of the periodic depletion charges on wasting assets.

1.12 Accumulated Depreciation


The total to date of the periodic depreciation charges on depreciable assets.

1.13 Actual Cost


See Cost

1.14 Ad-valorem
A method of levying tax or duty on goods by using their assessable value as the tax base.

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1.15 Added Value


See Value Added

1.16 Added Value Statement


See Value Added Statement

1.17 Advance
Payment made on account of, but before completion of, a contract, or before acquisition of goods or
receipt of services.

1.18 Amortisable Amount


See Amortisation

1.19 Amortisation
The gradual and systematic writing off of an asset or an account over an appropriate period. The
amount on which amortisation is provided is referred to as amortisable amount. Depreciation
accounting is a form of amortisation applied to depreciable assets. Depletion accounting is another
form of amortisation applied to wasting assets. Amortisation also refers to gradual extinction or
provision for extinction of a debt by gradual redemption or sinking fund payments or the gradual writing
off to revenue of miscellaneous expenditure carried forward, e.g., share issue expenses, preliminary
expenses, etc.

1.20 Amortised Value


The amortisable amount less any portion already provided by way of amortisation.

1.21 Annual Report


The information provided annually by the management of an enterprise to the owners and other
interested persons concerning its operations and financial position. It includes the information
statutorily required, e.g., in the case of a company, the balance sheet, profit and loss statement and
notes on accounts, the auditors report thereon, and the report of the Board of Directors. It also
includes other information voluntarily provided e.g., value added statement, graphs, charts, etc.

1.22 Appropriation Account


An account sometimes included as a separate section of the profit and loss statement showing
application of profits towards dividends, reserves, etc.

1.23 Assets
Tangible objects or intangible rights owned by an enterprise and carrying probable future benefits.

1.24 Auditors Report


The formal expression of opinion by an independent external auditor on the financial statements of an
enterprise including such reservations, qualifications and negations as may be called for and
incorporating, where appropriate, such statutory affirmations as may be prescribed.

1.25 Authorised Share Capital


The number and par value, of each class of shares that an enterprise may issue in accordance with its
instrument of incorporation. This is sometimes referred to as nominal share capital.

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1.26 Average Cost


The cost of an item at a point of time as determined by applying an average of the cost of all items of
the same nature over a period. When weightages are also applied in the computation, it is termed as
weighted average cost.

2.01 Bad Debts


Debts owed to an enterprise which are considered to be irrecoverable.

2.02 Balance Sheet


A statement of the financial position of an enterprise as at a given date, which exhibits its assets,
liabilities, capital, reserves and other account balances at their respective book values.

2.03 Bill of Exchange


An instrument in writing containing an unconditional order, signed by the maker, directing a certain
person to pay a certain sum of money only, to or to the order of a certain person or to the bearer of the
instrument.

2.04 Bond
See Debenture

2.05 Bonus Shares


Shares allotted by capitalisation of the reserves or surplus of a corporate enterprise.

2.06 Book Value


The amount at which an item appears in the books of account or financial statements. It does not refer
to any particular basis on which the amount is determined e.g., cost, replacement value, etc.

3.01 Call
A demand pursuant to terms of issue to pay a part or whole of the balance remaining payable on
shares or debentures after allotment.

3.02 Called-up Share Capital


That part of the subscribed share capital which shareholders have been required to pay.

3.03 Capital
Generally refers to the amount invested in an enterprise by its owners e.g. paid-up share capital in a
corporate enterprise. It is also used to refer to the interest of owners in the assets of an enterprise.

3.04 Capital Assets


Assets, including investments not held for sale, conversion or consumption in the ordinary course of
business.

3.05 Capital Commitment


Future liability for capital expenditure in respect of which contracts have been made.

3.06 Capital Employed


The finances deployed by an enterprise in its net fixed assets, investments and working capital. Capital
employed in an operation may, however, exclude investments made outside that operation.

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3.07 Capital Loss


See Capital Profit

3.08 Capital Profit


Excess of the proceeds realised from the sale, transfer, or exchange of the whole or a part of a capital
asset over its cost. When the result of this computation is negative, it is referred to as capital loss.

3.09 Capital Redemption Reserve


A reserve created on redemption of the redeemable preference shares of a corporate enterprise out of
its profits which would otherwise have been available for distribution as dividend.

3.10 Capital Reserve


A reserve of a corporate enterprise which is not available for distribution as dividend.

3.11 Capital Work-in-progress


Expenditure on capital assets which are in the process of construction or completion.

3.12 Cash Basis of Accounting


The method of recording transactions by which revenues and costs and assets and liabilities are
reflected in the accounts in the period in which actual receipts or actual payments are made.

3.13 Cash Discount


A reduction granted by a supplier from the invoiced price in consideration of immediate payment or
payment within a stipulated period.

3.14 Cash Profit


The net profit as increased by non-cash costs, such as depreciation, amortisation, etc. When the result
of the computation is negative, it is termed as cash loss.

3.15 Changes in Financial Position, Statement of


A financial statement which summarises, for the period covered by it, the changes in the financial
position including the sources from which funds were obtained by the enterprise and the specific uses
to which such funds were applied. This is also called the funds flow statement.

3.16 Charge
An encumbrance on an asset to secure an indebtedness or other obligations. It may be fixed or
floating.

3.17 Cheque
A bill of exchange drawn upon a specified banker and not expressed to be payable otherwise than on
demand.

3.18 Collateral Security


Security which is given in addition to the principal security against the same liability or obligation.

3.19 Contingency
A condition or situation, the ultimate outcome of which, gain or loss, will be known or determined only
on the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events.

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3.20 Contingent Asset


An asset the existence, ownership or value of which may be known or determined only on the occurrence or
non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events.

3.21 Contingent Liability


An obligation relating to an existing condition or situation which may arise in future depending on the
occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events.

3.22 Contra Account


One or two or more accounts which partially or wholly off-set another or other accounts.

3.23 Cost
The amount of expenditure incurred on or attributable to a specified article, product or activity.

3.24 Cost of Purchase


The purchase price including duties and taxes, freight inwards and other expenditure directly
attributable to acquisition, less trade discounts, rebates, duty drawbacks, and subsidies in respect of
such purchase.

3.25 Cost-plus Contract


A contract under which the contractor is reimbursed for allowable or otherwise defined costs as
increased by a percentage of such costs or an agreed fee.

3.26 Cost of Goods Sold


The cost of goods sold during an accounting period. In manufacturing operations, it includes (i) cost of
materials; (ii) labour and factory overheads; selling and administrative expenses are normally excluded.

3.27 Cost of Sales


Cost of goods sold plus selling and administrative expenses.

3.28 Conversion Cost


Cost incurred to convert raw materials or components into finished or semi-finished products. This
normally includes costs which are specifically attributable to units of production, i.e., direct labour,
direct expenses and subcontracted work, and production overheads as applicable in accordance with
either the direct cost or absorption costing method. Production overheads exclude expenses which
relate to general administration, finance, selling and distribution.

3.29 Convertible Bond


See Convertible Debenture

3.30 Convertible Debenture


A debenture which gives the holder a right to its conversion, wholly or partly, in shares in accordance
with the terms of issue.

3.31 Creditor
See Sundry Creditor

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3.32 Cumulative Dividend


A dividend payable on cumulative preference shares which, if unpaid, accumulates as a claim against
the earnings of a corporate enterprise, before any distribution is made to the other shareholders.

3.33 Cumulative Preference Shares


A class of preference shares entitled to payment of cumulative dividends. Preference shares are
always deemed to be cumulative, unless they are expressly made non-cumulative.

3.34 Current Assets


Cash and other assets that are expected to be converted into cash or consumed in the production of
goods or rendering of services in the normal course of business.

3.35 Current Liability


Liability including loans, deposits and bank overdraft which falls due for payment in a relatively short
period, normally not more than twelve months.

4.01 Debenture
A formal document constituting acknowledgment of a debt by an enterprise usually given under its
common seal and normally containing provisions regarding payment of interest, repayment of principal
and security, if any. It is transferable in the appropriate manner.

4.02 Debenture Redemption Reserve


A reserve created for the redemption of debentures at a future date.

4.03 Debtor
See Sundry Debtor

4.04 Deferral
Postponement of recognition of a revenue or expense after its related receipt or payment (or incurrence
of a liability) to a subsequent period to which it applies. Common examples of deferrals include prepaid
rent and taxes, unearned subscriptions received in advance by newspapers and magazine selling
companies, etc.

4.05 Deferred Expenditure


Expenditure for which payment has been made or a liability incurred but which is carried forward on the
presumption that it will be of benefit over a subsequent period or periods. This is also referred to as
deferred revenue expenditure.

4.06 Deferred Revenue


Revenue or income received or recorded before it is earned and carried forward to a subsequent period
or periods to which it relates.

4.07 Deferred Revenue Expenditure


See Deferred Expenditure

4.08 Deficiency
The excess of liabilities over assets of an enterprise at a given date. The debit balance in the profit and
loss statement.

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4.09 Deficit
The debit balance in the profit and loss statement.

4.10 Depletion
A measure of exhaustion of a wasting asset represented by periodic write off of cost or other
substituted value.

4.11 Depreciable Amount


The historical cost, or other amount substituted for historical cost of a depreciable asset in the financial
statements, less the estimated residual value.

4.12 Depreciable Asset


Asset which is expected to be used during more than one accounting period, has a limited useful life,
and is held by an enterprise for use in the production or supply of goods, and services, for rental to
others, or for administrative purposes and not for the purpose of sale in the ordinary course of
business.

4.13 Depreciation
A measure of the wearing out, consumption or other loss of value of a depreciable asset arising from
use, effluxion of time or obsolescence through technology and market changes. It is allocated so as to
charge a fair proportion in each accounting period during the useful life of the asset. It includes
amortisation of assets whose useful life is predetermined and depletion of wasting assets.

4.14 Depreciation Method


Any method of calculating depreciation for an accounting period.

4.15 Depreciation Rate


A percentage applied to the historical cost or the substituted amount of a depreciable asset (or in case
of diminishing balance method, the historical cost or the substituted amount less accumulated
depreciation).

4.16 Development Allowance Reserve


A reserve created in compliance with one of the conditions for claiming development allowance under
the Income-tax Act, 1961.

4.17 Development Rebate Reserve


A reserve created in compliance with one of the conditions for claiming development rebate under the
Income-tax Act, 1961.

4.18 Diminishing Balance Method


A method under which the periodic charge for depreciation of an asset is computed by applying a fixed
percentage to its historical cost or substituted amount less accumulated depreciation (net book value).
This is also referred to as written down value method.

4.19 Direct Cost


An item of cost that can be reasonably identified with a specific unit of product or with a specific
operation or other cost center.

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4.20 Direct Costing


A method whereby the cost is determined so as to include the appropriate share of variable costs only,
all fixed costs being charged against revenue in the period in which they are incurred.

4.21 Discount
A reduction from a list price, quoted price or invoiced price. It also refers to the price for obtaining
payment on a bill before its maturity.

4.22 Dividend
A distribution to shareholders out of profits or reserves available for this purpose.

4.23 Dividend Equalisation Reserve


A reserve created to maintain the rate of dividend in future years.

5.01 Earnings Per Share


The earnings in monetary terms attributable to each equity share, based on the net profit for the period,
before taking into account prior period items, extraordinary items and adjustments resulting from
changes in accounting policies but after deducting tax appropriate thereto and preference dividends,
divided by the number of equity shares issued and ranking for dividend in respect of that period.

5.02 Entity Concept


The view of the relationship between the accounting entity and its owners which regards the entity as a
separate person, distinct and apart from its owners.

5.03 Equity Share


A share which is not a preference share. Also sometimes called ordinary share.

5.04 Expenditure
Incurring a liability, disbursement of cash or transfer of property for the purpose of obtaining assets,
goods or services.

5.05 Expense
A cost relating to the operations of an accounting period or to the revenue earned during the period or
the benefits of which do not extend beyond that period.

5.06 Expired Cost


That portion of an expenditure from which no further benefit is expected. Also termed as expense.

5.07 Extraordinary Item


Gain or loss which arises from events or transactions that are distinct from ordinary activities of the
enterprise and which are both material and expected not to recur frequently or regularly. This would
also include material adjustments necessitated by circumstances, which, though related to previous
periods, are determined in the current period.

6.01 Fair Market Value


The price that would be agreed to in an open and unrestricted market between knowledgeable and
willing parties dealing at arms length who are fully informed and not under any compulsion to transact.

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Arms length is a term applied to any transaction on the assumption that the parties to the transaction
would act without being influenced by each other or by any other person.

6.02 Fictitious Asset


Item grouped under assets in a balance sheet which has no real value (e.g. the debit balance of the
profit and loss statement).

6.03 First Charge


A charge having priority over other charges.

6.04 First In, First Out (FIFO)


Computation of the cost of items sold or consumed during a period as though they were sold or
consumed in order of their acquisition.

6.05 Fixed Asset


Asset held for the purpose of providing or producing goods or services and that is not held for resale in
the normal course of business.

6.06 Fixed Cost


That cost of production which by its very nature remains relatively unaffected in a defined period of time
by variations in the volume of production.

6.07 Fixed Deposit


Deposit for a specified period and at specified rate of interest.

6.08 Fixed or Specific Charge


A charge which attaches to a particular asset which is identified when the charge is created, and the
identity of the asset does not change during the subsistence of the charge.

6.09 Floating Charge


A general charge on some or all assets of an enterprise which are not attached to specific assets and
are given as security against a debt.

6.10 Foreign Currency, Translation of


The process of expressing amounts stated in a foreign currency into equivalent amounts in local
currency by using an exchange rate between the two currencies.

6.11 Foreign Currency Conversion


The process of expressing amounts stated in a foreign currency into equivalent amounts in local
currency by using the exchange rate at which the foreign currency is bought or sold.

6.12 Forfeited Share


A share to which title is lost by a member for non-payment of call money or default in fulfilling any
engagement between members or expulsion of members where the articles specifically provide
therefor.

6.13 Free Reserve


A reserve the utilisation of which is not restricted in any manner.

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6.14 Functional Classification


A system of classification of expenses and revenues and the corresponding assets and liabilities to
each function or activity, rather than by reference to their nature.

6.15 Fund
An account usually of the nature of a reserve or a provision which is represented by specifically
earmarked assets.

6.16 Fundamental Accounting Assumptions


Basic accounting assumptions which underlie the preparation and presentation of financial statements.
They are going concern, consistency and accrual. Usually, they are not specifically stated because
their acceptance and use are assumed. Disclosure is necessary if they are not followed.

6.17 Funds Flow Statement


See Changes in Financial Position, Statement of 7.01 Gain
A monetary benefit, profit or advantage resulting from a transaction or group of transactions.

7.02 General Reserve


A revenue reserve which is not earmarked for a specific purpose.

7.03 Going Concern Assumption


An accounting assumption according to which an enterprise is viewed as continuing in operation for the
foreseeable future. It is assumed that the enterprise has neither the intention nor the necessity of
liquidation or of curtailing materially the scale of its operations.

7.04 Goodwill
An intangible asset arising from business connections or trade name or reputation of an enterprise.

7.05 Gross Margin or Gross Profit


The excess of the proceeds of goods sold and services rendered during a period over their cost, before
taking into account administration, selling, distribution and financing expenses. When the result of this
computation is negative it is referred to as gross loss.

7.06 Gross Sales


See Sales Turnover

7.07 Gross Turnover


See Sales Turnover

8.01 Income
See Revenue

8.02 Income and Expenditure Statement


A financial statement, often prepared by non-profit making enterprises like clubs, associations etc. to
present their revenues and expenses for an accounting period and to show the excess of revenues
over expenses (or vice versa) for that period. It is similar to profit and loss statement and is also called
revenue and expense statement.

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8.03 Intangible Asset


Asset which does not have a physical identity e.g. goodwill, patents, copyright etc.

8.04 Internal Audit


An independent appraisal activity within an enterprise whether by the staff of the enterprise or by a firm
of accountants appointed for that purpose, for the review of accounting, financial and other operations
and controls as a basis for service to management. It involves a specialised application of the
techniques of auditing.

8.05 Internal Check


A system of allocation of responsibility, division of work, and methods of recording transactions,
whereby the work of an employee or group of employees is checked continuously by correlating it with
the work of others. An essential feature is that no one employee or group of employees has exclusive
control over any transaction or group of transactions.

8.06 Internal Control


The entire system of controls, financial and otherwise, established by the management in order to carry
on the business of the enterprise in an orderly and efficient manner, ensure adherence to management
policies, safeguard the assets and secure as far as possible the accuracy and completeness of the
records.

8.07 Interim Report


The information provided with reference to a date before the close of the accounting period by the
management of an enterprise to owners or other interested persons concerning its operations or
financial position.

8.08 Inventory
Tangible property held for sale in the ordinary course of business, or in the process of production for
such sale, or for consumption in the production of goods or services for sale, including maintenance
supplies and consumables other than machinery spares.

8.09 Investment
Expenditure on assets held to earn interest, income, profit or other benefits.

8.10 Investments
Assets held not for operational purposes or for rendering services i.e. assets other than fixed assets or
current assets (e.g. securities, shares, debentures, immovable properties).

8.11 Investment Allowance Reserve


A reserve created in compliance with one of the conditions for claiming investment allowance under the
Income-tax Act, 1961.

8.12 Issued Share Capital


That portion of the authorised share capital which has actually been offered for subscription. This
includes any bonus shares allotted by the corporate enterprise.

9.01 Last In, First Out (LIFO)


Computation of the cost of items sold or consumed during a period on the basis that the items last
acquired were sold or consumed first.

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9.02 Liability
The financial obligation of an enterprise other than owners funds.

9.03 Lien
Right of one person to satisfy a claim against another by holding or retaining possession of that others
assets/property.

9.04 Long-term Liability


Liability which does not fall due for payment in a relatively short period, i.e., normally a period not more
than twelve months.

9.05 Loss
See Profit

10.01 Materiality
An accounting concept according to which all relatively important and relevant items, i.e., items the
knowledge of which might influence the decisions of the user of the financial statements are disclosed
in the financial statements.

10.02 Mercantile Basis of Accounting


See Accrual Basis of Accounting

10.03 Mortgage
A transfer of interest in specific immovable property for the purpose of securing a loan advanced, or to
be advanced, an existing or future debt or the performance of an engagement which may give rise to a
pecuniary liability. The security is redeemed when the loan is repaid or the debt discharged or the
obligations performed.

11.01 Net Assets


The excess of the book value of assets (other than fictitious assets) of an enterprise over its liabilities.
This is also referred to as net worth or shareholders funds.

11.02 Net Fixed Assets


Fixed assets less accumulated depreciation thereon up-to-date.

11.03 Net Loss


See Net Profit

11.04 Net Profit


The excess of revenue over expenses during a particular accounting period. When the result of this
computation is negative, it is referred to as net loss. The net profit may be shown before or after tax.

11.05 Net Realisable Value


The actual/estimated selling price of an asset in the ordinary course of the business less cost of
completion and cost necessarily to be incurred in order to make the sale.

11.06 Net Sales


See Sales Turnover

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11.07 Net Turnover


See Sales Turnover

11.08 Net Worth


See Net Assets

11.09 Nominal Share Capital


See Authorised Share Capital

12.01 Obsolescence
Diminution in the value of an asset by reason of its becoming out-of date or less useful due to
technological changes, improvement in production methods, change in market demand for the product
or service output of the asset, or legal or other restrictions.

12.02 Operating Profit


The net profit arising from the normal operations and activities of an enterprise without taking account
of extraneous transactions and expenses of a purely financial nature.

13.01 Paid-up Share Capital


That part of the subscribed share capital for which consideration in cash or otherwise has been
received. This includes bonus shares allotted by the corporate enterprise.

13.02 Pari Passu Charge


Charge created by an enterprise on its assets in favour of more than one person on the condition that each
such person has equal rights of realization out of the assets as the other(s).

13.03 Pledge
Deposit of goods by one person (pledgor or pawnor) to another person (pledgee or pawnee) as a
security for payment of a debt or performance of a promise. The pledgee has a special lien/right on the
property in the pledged goods with a right to sell the same after notice if the pledgor fails to discharge
the debt or perform his promise on the stipulated date.

13.04 Preference Share Capital


That part of the share capital of a corporate enterprise which enjoys preferential rights in respect of
payments of fixed dividend and repayment of capital. Preference shares may also have full or partial
participating rights in surplus profits or surplus capital.

13.05 Preferential Payment


Payment which in a winding up or insolvency has to be made in priority to all other debts as per statute.

13.06 Preliminary Expenses


Expenses relating to the formation of an enterprise. These include legal, accounting and share issue
expenses incurred for formation of the enterprise.

13.07 Pre-paid Expense


Payment for expense in an accounting period, the benefit for which will accrue in the subsequent
accounting period(s).

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13.08 Prime Cost


The total cost of direct materials, direct wages and other direct production expenses.

13.09 Prior Period Item


A material charge or credit which arises in the current period as a result of errors or omissions in the
preparation of the financial statements of one or more prior periods.

13.10 Profit
A general term for the excess of revenue over related cost. When the result of this computation is
negative it is referred to as loss. Also see gross profit, operating profit, net profit.

13.11 Profit and Loss Statement


A financial statement which presents the revenues and expenses of an enterprise for an accounting
period and shows the excess of revenues over expenses (or vice versa). It is also known as profit and
loss account.

13.12 Promissory Note


An instrument in writing (not being a bank note or currency note) containing an unconditional
undertaking, signed by the maker, to pay a certain sum of money only to, or to the order of, a certain
person or to the bearer of the instrument.

13.13 Propriety Concept


A concept of evaluating performance or specific transactions of an enterprise with reference to the tests
of commonly accepted norms, customs and standards of conduct including those based on
considerations of public interest.

13.14 Provision
An amount written off or retained by way of providing for depreciation or diminution in value of assets or
retained by way of providing for any known liability the amount of which cannot be determined with
substantial accuracy.

13.15 Provision for Doubtful Debts


A provision made for debts considered doubtful of recovery.

13.16 Prudence
A concept of care and caution used in accounting according to which (in view of the uncertainty
attached to future events) profits are not anticipated, but recognised only when realised, though not
necessarily in cash. Under this concept, provision is made for all known liabilities and losses, even
though the amount cannot be determined with certainty and represents only a best estimate in the light
of available information.

13.17 Public Deposits


Fixed deposits accepted by an enterprise from the public in accordance with the prevailing Rules made
in this behalf.

14.01 Redeemable Preference Share


The preference share that is repayable either after a fixed or determinable period or at any time
decided by the management (by giving due notice), under certain conditions prescribed by the
instrument of incorporation or the terms of issue.

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14.02 Redemption
Repayment as per given terms normally used in connection with preference shares and debentures.

14.03 Reduction of Capital


The extinguishment or reduction of shareholders liability on any of the shares of a corporate enterprise
in respect of the share capital not fully paid up or the cancellation of paid-up share capital of a
company which is not represented by available assets. It also refers to the return of any paid-up share
capital in excess of requirements.

14.04 Reserve
The portion of earnings, receipts or other surplus of an enterprise (whether capital or revenue)
appropriated by the management for a general or a specific purpose other than a provision for
depreciation or diminution in the value of assets or for a known liability. The reserves are primarily of
two types: capital reserves and revenue reserves.

14.05 Revaluation Reserve


A reserve created on the revaluation of assets or net assets of an enterprise represented by the surplus
of the estimated replacement cost or estimated market values over the book values thereof.

14.06 Revenue
The gross inflow of cash, receivables or other consideration arising in the course of the ordinary
activities of an enterprise from the sale of goods, from the rendering of services, and from the use by
others of enterprise resources yielding interest, royalties and dividends. Revenue is measured by the
charges made to customers or clients for goods supplied and services rendered to them and by the
charges and rewards arising from the use of resources by them. It excludes amounts collected on
behalf of third parties such as certain taxes. In an agency relationship, the revenue is the amount of
commission and not the gross inflow of cash, receivables or other consideration.

14.07 Revenue and Expense Statement


See Income and Expenditure Statement

14.08 Revenue Reserve


Any reserve other than a capital reserve.

14.09 Right Share


An allotment of shares on the issue of fresh capital by a corporate enterprise to which a shareholder is
entitled on payment, by virtue of his holding certain shares in the enterprise in proportion to the number
of shares already held by him. (Shares allotted to certain categories of debenture holders pursuant to
the rights enjoyed by them are sometimes called right shares)

15.01 Sales Turnover


The aggregate amount for which sales are effected or services rendered by an enterprise. The terms
gross turnover and net turnover (or gross sales and net sales) are sometimes used to distinguish
the sales aggregate before and after deduction of returns and trade discounts.

15.02 Secured Loan


Loan secured wholly or partly against an asset.

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-17

15.03 Self-Insurance
The assumption by an enterprise of a risk which is not covered by an external insurance agency and for
which internal allocations or provisions have been made.

15.04 Share Capital


Aggregate amount of money paid or credited as paid on the shares and/ or stocks of a corporate
enterprise.

15.05 Share Discount


The excess of the face value of shares over their issue price.

15.06 Shareholders Equity


The interest of the shareholders in the net assets of a corporate enterprise. However, in the case of
liquidation it is represented by the residual assets after meeting prior claims.

15.07 Shareholders Funds


See Net Assets

15.08 Share Issue Expenses


Costs incurred in connection with the issue and allotment of shares. These include legal and
professional fees, advertising expenses, printing costs, underwriting commission, brokerage, and also
expenses in connection with the issue of prospectus and allotment of shares.

15.09 Share Premium


The excess of the issue price of shares over their face value.

15.10 Short-term Liability


See Current Liability

15.11 Sinking Fund


A fund created for the repayment of a liability or for the replacement of an asset.

15.12 Social Cost Benefit Analysis


The identification, measurement and reporting of social costs and benefits related to a project or an
enterprise.

15.13 Social Cost


The cost or the loss to society resulting from the operations of an enterprise in its particular
circumstances. Such costs are often not readily measurable in monetary terms. This term is also used
in a specific sense to denote the costs incurred by an enterprise in providing social amenities.

15.14 Social Benefit


The benefits or income to society resulting from operations of an enterprise in its particular
circumstances. Such benefits are often not readily measurable in monetary terms.

15.15 Standard Cost


A pre-determined cost of an activity, operation, process or product, established as a basis for control
and reporting.

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Accounting Pronouncements

15.16 Straight Line Method


The method under which the periodic charge for depreciation is computed by dividing the depreciable
amount of a depreciable asset by the estimated number of years of its useful life.

15.17 Subscribed Share Capital


That portion of the issued share capital which has actually been subscribed and allotted. This includes
any bonus shares allotted by the corporate enterprise.

15.18 Substance over Form


An accounting concept according to which the substance and not merely the legal form of transactions
and events governs their accounting treatment and presentation in financial statements.

15.19 Sundry Creditor


Amount owed by an enterprise on account of goods purchased or services received or in respect of
contractual obligations. Also termed as trade creditor or account payable.

15.20 Sundry Debtor


Person from whom amounts are due for goods sold or services rendered or in respect of contractual
obligations. Also termed as debtor, trade debtor, account receivable.

15.21 Surplus
Credit balance in the profit and loss statement after providing for proposed appropriations, e.g.,
dividend or reserves.

16.01 Test Check


Examination of representative items selected from an account or record for the purpose of arriving at
an opinion on the entire account or record.

16.02 Trade Creditor


See Sundry Creditor

16.03 Trade Debtor


See Sundry Debtor

16.04 Trade Discount


A reduction granted by a supplier from the list price of goods or services on business considerations
other than for prompt payment.

16.05 Transfer Price


The price charged (or value assigned) to a product or service which is transferred within an enterprise
from one segment/division to another.

17.01 Unclaimed Dividend


Dividend which has been declared by a corporate enterprise and a warrant or a cheque in respect
whereof has been despatched but has not been encashed by the shareholder concerned.

17.02 Unexpired Cost


That portion of an expenditure whose benefit has not yet been exhausted.

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-19

17.03 Unissued Share Capital


That portion of the authorised share capital for which shares have not been offered for subscription.

17.04 Unpaid Dividend


Dividend which has been declared by a corporate enterprise but has not been paid, or the warrant or
cheque in respect whereof has not been dispatched within the prescribed period.

17.05 Useful Life


Life which is either (i) the period over which a depreciable asset is expected to be used by the
enterprise; or (ii) the number of production or similar units expected to be obtained from the use of the
asset by the enterprise.

18.01 Value Added


The increase in value of a product or service resulting from an alteration in the form, location or
availability excluding the cost of bought-out materials or services. This is also referred to as added
value.

18.02 Value Added Statement


A statement of the value added that an enterprise has been able to generate and its distribution among
those contributing to its generation. This is also referred to as added value statement.

GN(A) 6 (Issued 1988)


Guidance Note on Accrual Basis of Accounting
1.

Introduction

1.1 Certain fundamental accounting assumptions underlie the preparation and presentation of
financial statements. Accrual is one of the fundamental accounting assumptions. Para 27 of the
Accounting Standard on Disclosure of Accounting Policies (AS-1), issued by the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of India (ICAI), provides that if fundamental accounting assumptions, viz., going concern,
consistency and accrual are not followed, the fact should be disclosed.
1.2 There are three bases of accounting in use, viz., (i) accrual (ii) cash and (iii) hybrid. The
Companies (Amendment) Act, 1988, has amended section 209 of the Companies Act, 1956 with effect
from 15th June, 1988, making it obligatory on all companies to maintain their accounts on accrual basis
and according to the double entry system of accounting. In view of this amendment all companies will
now be required to keep their accounts on accrual basis of accounting, in respect of any accounting
year closing on or after 15th June, 1988.
1.3 This guidance note is issued by the Research Committee of the ICAI providing guidance in
respect of maintenance of accounts on the accrual basis of accounting.

2.

Accrual Basis of Accounting

2.1 The term Accrual has been explained in the Accounting Standard on Disclosure of Accounting
Policies (AS-1), as under:
Revenues and costs are accrued, that is, recognised as they are earned or incurred (and not as
money is received or paid) and recorded in the financial statements of the periods to which they relate.
2.2 The Guidance Note on Terms Used in Financial Statements, issued by the Accounting Standards
Board of the ICAI, explains Accrual Basis of Accounting as under:

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Accounting Pronouncements

The method of recording transactions by which revenues, costs, assets and liabilities are reflected in
the accounts in the period in which they accrue. The Accrual Basis of Accounting includes
considerations relating to deferrals, allocations, depreciation and amortisation. This basis is also
referred to as Mercantile Basis of Accounting.
Accrual Basis of Accounting
2.3 Accrual basis of accounting, thus, attempts to record the financial effects of the transactions,
events, and circumstances of an enterprises in the period in which they occur rather than recording
them in the period(s) in which cash is received or paid by the enterprise. It recognises that the buying,
producing, selling and other economic events that affect enterprises performance often do not coincide
with the cash receipts and payments of the period. The goal of accrual basis of accounting is to relate
the accomplishments (measured in the form of revenue) and the efforts (measured in terms of cost) so
that reported net income measures an enterprises performance during a period instead of merely
listing its cash receipts and payments. Apart from income measurement, accrual basis of accounting
recognises assets, liabilities or components of revenues and expenses for amounts received or paid in
cash in past, and amounts expected to be received or paid in cash in the future.
2.4 The major difference between accrual accounting and accounting based on cash receipts and
outlays, is in timing of recognition of revenues, expenses, gains and losses. Cash receipts in a
particular period may largely reflect the effects of activities of the enterprise in the earlier periods, while
many of the cash outlays may relate to activities and efforts expected in future periods. Thus, an
account showing cash receipts and cash outlays of an enterprise for a short period cannot indicate how
much of the cash received is return of investment and how much is return on investment and thus
cannot indicate whether or to what extent an enterprise is successful or unsuccessful.
2.5 The following are the essential features of accrual basis of accounting:
(i)

Revenue is recognised as it is earned.

(ii)

Costs are matched either against revenues so recognised or against the relevant time period to
determine periodic income, and

(iii) Costs which are not charged to income are carried forward and are kept under continuous review.
Any cost that appears to have lost its utility or its power to generate future revenue is written-off
as a loss.
2.6 The above features of accrual basis of accounting are discussed in the following paragraphs.

3.

Revenue Recognition

3.1 The Accounting Standard on Revenue Recognition (AS-9) issued by ICAI deals with the bases
for recognition of revenue in the statement of profit and loss of an enterprise. This standard lays down
rules for recognition of revenue arising in the course of the ordinary activities of the enterprise from (i)
sale of goods, (ii) rendering of services, and (iii) use of resources of the enterprise by others yielding
interest, royalties and dividends.
3.2 Recognition of revenue requires that revenue is measurable and that at the time of sale or the
rendering of service or the use of resources of the enterprise by others it would not be unreasonable to
expect ultimate collection.
3.3 An essential criterion for the recognition of revenue is that the consideration receivable from the
sale of goods, the rendering of services or from the use by others of resources of the enterprise is
reasonably determinable. When such consideration is not determinable within reasonable limits, the
recognition of revenue is postponed.

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-21

3.4 When recognition of revenue is postponed due to the effect of uncertainties, it is considered as
revenue for the period in which it is properly recognised according to the principles discussed herein.
3.5 Where the ability to assess the ultimate collection with reasonable certainty is lacking at the time
of raising any claim, e.g., for escalation of price, export incentives, interest etc., revenue recognition is
postponed to the extent of uncertainty involved. It is possible that the uncertainty of collection may be
either in respect of the entire transaction or a part thereof. For that part in respect of which there is no
uncertainty of collection, the revenue is immediately recognised and for the remaining part the
recognition of revenue is postponed. In such cases, it may be appropriate to recognise revenue only
when it is reasonably certain that the ultimate collection will be made. It is necessary to disclose the
circumstances in which revenue recognition has been postponed pending the resolution of significant
uncertainties. Where there is no uncertainty as to ultimate collection, revenue is recognised at the time
of sale or rendering of service even though payments are made by installments. When the uncertainty
relating to collectability arises subsequent to the time of sale or the rendering of the service, it is more
appropriate to make a separate provision to reflect the uncertainty rather than to adjust the amount of
revenue originally recorded.
3.6 Revenue from sales or service transactions should be recognised when the requirements as to
performance set out in paragraphs 3.7 and 3.8 are satisfied, provided that at the time of performance it
is not unreasonable to expect ultimate collection.
3.7 In a transaction involving the sale of goods, performance should be regarded as being achieved
when the following conditions have been fulfilled:
(i)

(ii)

The seller of goods has transferred to the buyer the property in the goods for a price or all
significant risks and rewards of ownership have been transferred to the buyer and the seller
retains no effective control of the goods transferred to a degree usually associated with
ownership; and
no significant uncertainty exists regarding the amount of the consideration that will be derived
from the sale of goods. Thus, when such consideration is not determinable within reasonable
limits, the recognition of revenue is postponed.

3.8 In a transaction involving the rendering of services, performance should be measured either
under the completed service contract method or under the proportionate completion method, whichever
relates the revenue to the work accomplished. Such performance should be regarded as being
achieved when no significant uncertainty exists regarding the amount of the consideration that will be
derived from rendering the service.
3.9 The use of resources of the enterprise by others yielding interest, royalties and dividends is
recognised when no significant uncertainty as to measurability or collectability exists. The terms
interest, royalties and dividends mean (i) Interest - charges for the use of cash resources or amounts due to the enterprise;
(ii) royalties - charges for the use of such assets as know-how, patents, trade marks and copyrights;
(iii) dividends - rewards from the holding of investments in shares.
3.10 The revenues from the above sources are recognised on the following basis:
(i)
(ii)

Interest accrues, in most circumstances, on the time basis determined by the amount outstanding
and the rate applicable. Usually, discount or premium on debt securities held is treated as though
it were accruing over the period of maturity.
Royalties accrue in accordance with the terms of the relevant agreement and are usually
recognised on that basis unless, having regard to the substance of the transactions, it is more
appropriate to recognise revenue on some other systematic and rational basis.

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Accounting Pronouncements

(iii) Dividends from investments in shares accrue when the owners right to receive payment is
established.
Similar considerations would apply where the resources of the enterprise are used by others and yield
revenue such as rent.
3.11 When interest, royalties and dividends from foreign countries require exchange permission and
uncertainty in remittances is anticipated, revenue recognition may need to be postponed.
3.12 The accrual basis of accounting necessitates adjustments for income received in advance as well
as for outstanding income at the end of the period of accounting since the receipts during the period
may not coincide with what is properly recognisable as income for the period.

4.

Rules for Expense Recognition

4.1 The Guidance Note on Terms Used in Financial Statements, explains the term Expense as
under:
A cost relating to the operations of an accounting period or to the revenue earned during the period or
the benefits of which do not extend beyond that period.
4.2 In the accrual basis of accounting, costs are matched either against revenues or against the
relevant time period to determine periodic income.
Further, costs which are not charged against income of the period are carried forward. If any particular
item of cost has lost its utility or its power to generate future revenue the same is written off as an
expense or a loss.
4.3 Under accrual basis of accounting, expenses are recognised by the following approaches:
(i)

Identification with revenue transactions

Costs directly associated with the revenue recognised during the relevant period (in respect of which
whether money has been paid or not) are considered as expenses and are charged to income for the
period.
(ii)

Identification with a period of time

In many cases, although some costs may have connection with the revenue for the period, the
relationship is so indirect that it is impracticable to attempt to establish it. However, there is a clear
identification with a period of time. Such costs are regarded as period costs and are expensed in the
relevant period, e.g., salaries, telephone, traveling, depreciation on office building etc.
Similarly, the costs the benefits of which do not clearly extend beyond the accounting period are also
charged as expenses.
4.4 Expenses relating to a future period are accounted for as prepaid expenses even though they are
paid for in the current accounting period.
Similarly, expenses of the current year, for which payment has not yet been made (outstanding
expenses) are charged to the profit and loss account for the current accounting period.
4.5 The amount of a contingent loss should be provided for by a charge in the statement of profit and
loss if:
(a)

it is probable that at the date of the financial statements events subsequent thereto will confirm
that (after taking into account any related probable recovery) an asset has been impaired or a
liability has been incurred as at that date, and

(b)

a reasonable estimate of the amount of the resulting loss can be made.

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-23

4.6 The existence of a contingent loss should be disclosed in the financial statements if either of the
conditions in paragraph 4.5 is not met, unless the possibility of a loss is remote.

5.

Recognition of Assets and Liabilities

5.1 As in the case of revenues and expenses which are recognised under the accrual basis of
accounting, as they are earned or incurred (and not as money is received or paid), the transactions
related to assets and liabilities are recognised as they occur irrespective of the actual receipts or
payments.

6.

Concept of Materiality

6.1 Section 209(3) of the Companies Act, 1956 requires that every company has to keep the books of
account in such a manner that they give a true and fair view of its state of affairs and that the books
are maintained on the accrual basis of accounting.
6.2 The concept of true and fair view also recognises that the concept of materiality must be given
due importance in the preparation and presentation of financial statements. As explained in para 17 of
Accounting Standard on Disclosure of Accounting Policies (AS-1), financial statements should
disclose all material items, i.e., items the knowledge of which might influence the decisions of the
user of the financial statements.
6.3 The accrual basis of accounting does not necessarily imply that detailed calculations are required
to be made in respect of even the smallest and immaterial amounts of revenue and expenditure and corelate the same on the basis of the principle of accrual. For example, it may not be improper to write off
a small calculator costing `.100 even though it is expected to be used for more than one year.

7.

Change in the Basis of Accounting

7.1 When an enterprise which was earlier following cash basis of accounting for all or any of its
transactions, changes over to the accrual basis of accounting, the effect of the change should be
ascertained with reference to the transactions of the previous accounting periods also, to the extent
such transactions have an impact on the current financial position of the enterprise.
The fact of such change should be disclosed in the financial statements. The impact of, and the
adjustments resulting from, such change, if material, should be shown in the financial statements of the
period in which such change is made to reflect the effect of such change. Where the effect of the
change is not ascertainable, wholly or in part, the fact should be indicated. If the change has no
material effect on the financial statements for the current period but is reasonably expected to have a
material effect in later periods, the fact of such change should be appropriately disclosed in the period
in which the change is adopted.

8.

Authoritative Pronouncements of the Institute vis-a-vis Accrual Accounting

8.1 The Council of the ICAI and its various committees have issued various Guidance Notes,
Statements and Accounting Standards. The accounting treatments contained in these documents are
primarily based on accrual accounting. Thus, adoption of accounting treatments recommended in these
documents would ensure that a company has followed accrual basis of accounting. The Appendix to
this guidance note contains some special circumstances of recognition of revenue and expenses as
dealt with in the aforesaid documents issued by the Institute. The Appendix also contains illustrations of
situations where due to uncertainty of collection, revenue recognition may be postponed.

9.

Auditors Responsibility

9.1 Where a company has maintained its books of account in a manner that all material transactions

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III-24

Accounting Pronouncements

are accounted for on accrual basis as discussed above, the auditor should state in his report that, as
far as this aspect is concerned, the company has maintained proper books of account as required by
law.
Where a company has not maintained its books of account in a manner that all material transactions
are accounted for on accrual basis as discussed above, the auditor will have to qualify his report or
give a negative opinion with regard to the following assertions:
(a)
(b)

Whether proper books of account as required by law have been kept by the company.
Whether the accounts give the information required by this Act in the manner so required and
give a true and fair view of:
(i)
(ii)

in the case of the balance sheet, of the state of the companys affairs as at the end of its
financial year; and
in the case of the profit and loss account, of the profit or loss for its financial year.

Appendix
This Appendix is illustrative only. The purpose of the Appendix is to illustrate the application of the
Guidance Note on Accrual Basis of Accounting to some of the important commercial situations.

Revenue Recognition
1.

Sale of Goods

(i)

Delivery is delayed at buyers request and buyer takes title and accepts billing

Revenue should be recognised notwithstanding that physical delivery has not been completed so long
as there is every expectation that delivery will be made. However, the item must be on hand, identified
and ready for delivery to the buyer at the time the sale is recognised rather than there being simply an
intention to acquire or manufacture the goods in time for delivery.
(ii)

Delivered subject to conditions


(a)

installation and inspection i.e. goods are sold subject to installation, inspection etc.
Revenue should normally not be recognised until the customer accepts delivery and
installation and inspection are complete. In some cases, however, the installation process
may be so simple in nature that it may be appropriate to recognise the sale notwithstanding
that installation is not yet completed (e.g. installation of a factory tested television receiver
normally only requires unpacking and connecting of power and antenna.)

(b)

on approval
Revenue should not be recognised until the goods have been formally accepted by the
buyer or the buyer has done an act adopting the transaction or the time period for rejection
has elapsed or where no time has been fixed, a reasonable time has elapsed.

(c)

guaranteed sales i.e. delivery is made giving the buyer an unlimited right of return
Recognition of revenue in such circumstances will depend on the substance of the
agreement. In the case of retail sales offering a guarantee of money back if not completely
satisfied it may be appropriate to recognise the sale but to make a suitable provision for
returns based on previous experience. In other cases, the substance of the agreement may
amount to a sale on consignment, in which case it should be treated as indicated below.

(d)

Consignment sales i.e. a delivery is made whereby the recipient undertakes to sell the
goods on behalf of the consignor

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-25

Revenue should not be recognised until the goods are sold to a third party.
(e)

Cash on delivery sales


Revenue should not be recognised until cash is received by the seller or his agent.

(iii) Sales where the purchaser makes a series of installment payments to the seller, and the seller
delivers the goods only when the final payment is received
Revenue from such sales should not be recognised until goods are delivered. However, when
experience indicates that most such sales have been consummated, revenue may be recognised
when a significant deposit is received.
(iv) Special order and shipments i.e. where payment (or partialpayment) is received for goods not
presently held in stock e.g. the stock is still to be manufactured or is to be delivered directly to the
customer from a third party
Revenue from such sales should not be recognised until goods are manufactured, identified and
ready for delivery to the buyer by the third party.
(v)

Sale/repurchase agreements i.e. where seller concurrently agrees to repurchase the same goods
at a later date
For such transactions that are in substance a financing agreement, the resulting cash inflow is not
revenue as defined and should not be recognised as revenue.

(vi) Sales to intermediate parties i.e. where goods are sold to distributors, dealers or others for resale
Revenue from such sales can generally be recognised if significant risks of ownership have
passed, however, in some situations the buyer may in substance be an agent and in such cases
the sale should be treated as a consignment sale.
(vii) Subscriptions for publications
Revenue received or billed should be deferred and recognised either on a straight line basis over
time or, where the items delivered vary in value from period to period, revenue should be based
on the sales value of the item delivered in relation to the total sales value of all items covered by
the subscription.
(viii) Installments sales
When the consideration is receivable in installments, revenue attributable to the sales price
exclusive of interest should be recognised at the date of sale. The interest element should be
recognised as revenue, proportionately to the unpaid balance due to the seller.
2.

Rendering of Services

(i)

Installation fees
In cases where installation fees are other than incidental to the sale of a product, they should be
recognised as revenue only when the equipment is installed and accepted by the customer.

(ii)

Advertising and Insurance Agency Commissions


Revenue should be recognised when the service is completed. For advertising agencies, media
commissions will normally be recognized when the related advertisement or commercial appears
before the public and the necessary intimation is received by the agency, as opposed to
production commission which will be recognised when the project is completed. Insurance agency
commissions should be recognised on the effective commencement or renewal dates of the
related policies.

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III-26
(iii)

Accounting Pronouncements
Financial service commissions
A financial service may be rendered as a single act or may be provided over a period of time.
Similarly, charges for such services may be made as a single amount or in stages over the period
of the service or the life of the transaction to which it relates. Such charges may be settled in full
when made, or added to a loan or other account and settled in stages.
The recognition of such revenue should, therefore, have regard to:

(iv)

(a)

Whether the service has been provided once and for allor is on a continuing basis;

(b)

the incidence of the costs relating to the service;

(c)

when the payment for the service will be received. In general, commissions charged for
arranging or granting loan or other facilities should be recognised when a binding obligation
has been entered into. Commitment, facility or loan management fees which relate to
continuing obligations or services should normally be recognised over the life of the loan or
facility having regard to the amount of the obligation outstanding, the nature of the services
provided and the timing of the costs relating thereto.

Admission fees
Revenue from artistic performances, banquets and other special events should be recognised
when the event takes place. When a subscription to a number of events is sold, the fee should be
allocated to each event on a systematic and rational basis.

(v)

Entrance and membership fees


Revenue recognition from these sources will depend on the nature of the services being provided.
Entrance fee received is generally capitalized. If the membership fee permits only membership
and all other services or products are paid for separately, or is there is a separate annual
subscription, the fee should be recognised when received. If the membership fee entitles the
member to services or publications to be provided during the year, it should be recognised on a
systematic and rational basis having regard to the timing and nature of all services provided.

3.

Uncertainty of Collection

In respect of the following items of revenue, if the ability to assess the ultimate collection with
reasonable certainty is lacking at the time of raising any claim, revenue recognition is postponed to the
extent of uncertainty involved :
(i)

Claim for escalation of price under a contract.

(ii)

Export incentives due from the Government or any statutory authority.

(iii) Drawback claims, cash subsidies, benefits of Import Licenses etc. received from the Government
or any statutory authority.
(iv) Interest due or receivable on loans or other dues when the recovery of the amount is in dispute or
is doubtful.
(v)

Insurance claim in respect of loss of goods or loss of profits, when the amount receivable is not
certain or capable or being determined.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes


4.

III-27

Construction Contracts

In accounting for construction contracts in financial statements either the percentage of completion
method or the completed contract method1 may be used. When a contractor uses a particular method
of accounting for a contract, then the same method should be adopted for all other contracts which
meet similar criteria.

Liability for Expenditure


Gratuity
Under accrual basis of accounting it is necessary to provide for accruing liability in each accounting
period.

GN(A) 9 (Issued 1994)


Guidance Note on Availability of Revaluation Reserve for Issue of
Bonus Shares
1. In the recent past, a few private companies and closely held public companies have resorted to
the practice of utilising the reserve created on revaluation of fixed assets for issue of bonus shares.
This Guidance Note discusses the nature of revaluation reserve and in this context examines the
question whether such reserves can be utilised for issue of bonus shares. It supplements the Guidance
Note on Treatment of Reserve Created on Revaluation of Fixed Assets issued in 1982.
2. Revaluation of fixed assets is one of the issues dealt with in Accounting Standard (AS) 10 on
Accounting for Fixed Assets, issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, which states,
inter alia, as follows:
13.1 Sometimes financial statements that are otherwise prepared on a historical cost basis include
part or all of fixed assets at a valuation in substitution for historical costs....
13.2 A commonly accepted and preferred method of restating fixed assets is by appraisal, normally
undertaken by competent valuers. Other methods sometimes used are indexation and reference to
current prices which when applied are cross checked periodically by appraisal method.
3.

AS 10 lays down as below:

29. When a fixed asset is revalued upwards, any accumulated depreciation existing at the date of the
revaluation should not be credited to the profit and loss statement.
30. An increase in net book value arising on revaluation of fixed assets should be credited directly to
owners interests under the head of revaluation reserve, except that, to the extent that such increase is
related to and not greater than a decrease arising on revaluation previously recorded as a charge to
the profit and loss statement, it may be credited to the profit and loss statement. A decrease in net
book value arising on revaluation of fixed asset should be charged directly to the profit and loss
statement except that to the extent that such a decrease is related to an increase which was previously
recorded as, credit to revaluation reserve and which has not been subsequently reversed or utilised, it
may be charged directly to that account.

Accounting Standard (AS) 7, Construction Contracts (revised) issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of
India, permits the use of only percentage of completion method for accounting for construction contracts. AS 7 (revised)
comes into effect in respect of all contracts entered into during accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2003 and
is mandatory in nature.

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Accounting Pronouncements

4. It may be noted that the excess of the revalued amount over the net book value of fixed assets,
which is credited to revaluation reserve, is created as a result of a book adjustment only. The
revaluation reserve does not result from an arms length transaction; it represents an experts
perception of value. The revaluation reserve thus does not represent a realised gain.
5. Share capital represents the amount of money or moneys worth received from the owners and
the capitalisation of earned profits or other gains arising out of an arms length transaction. It has,
therefore, been a cardinal principle that only such profits as are earned or the relevant capital receipts
(e.g. share premium), as are realised, can be capitalised.
6. In view of the above, in the opinion of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, bonus
shares cannot be issued by capitalisation of revaluation reserve. If any company (including a private or
a closely held public company) utilises revaluation reserve for issue of bonus shares, the statutory
auditor of the company should qualify his audit report. An illustrative manner of the qualification is given
below:
The company has issued bonus shares for ` ___________ (_________ equity shares of
`._________ each) by capitalising its revaluation reserve. Accordingly, the Paid-up Equity Share
Capital of the company stands increased by ` ___________ and the revaluation reserve stands
reduced by that amount. The issue of bonus shares as aforesaid is contrary to the recommendations of
the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
Subject to the above __________.
7. The above would also apply to situations where the revaluation reserve is utilised to increase the
amount paid-up on equity shares of a company.
8. In this context, it may also be noted that the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has
prohibited listed companies from issuing bonus shares out of revaluation reserves.

GN(A) 11 (Issued 1997)


Guidance Note on Accounting for Corporate Dividend Tax
1. The Finance Act, 1997, has introduced Chapter XIID on Special Provisions Relating to Tax on
Distributed Profits of Domestic Companies [hereinafter referred to as CDT (Corporate Dividend Tax)].
The relevant extracts of sections 115O and 115Q of the Income-tax Act, 1961, governing CDT have
been reproduced in Annexure I. This Guidance Note is being issued to provide guidance on accounting
for CDT.
2.

The salient features of CDT are as below:

(i)

CDT is in addition to the income-tax chargeable in respect of the total income of a domestic
company.
(ii) CDT is chargeable on any amount declared, distributed or paid by such company by way of
dividends (whether interim or otherwise) on or after the 1st day of June 1997.
(iii) The dividends chargeable to CDT may be out of the current profits or accumulated profits.
(iv) The rate of CDT is ten per cent.
(v) CDT shall be payable even if no income-tax is payable by the domestic company on its total
income.
(vi) CDT is payable to the credit of the Central Government within 14 days of (a) declaration of any dividend,
(b) distribution of any dividend, or

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Part III: Guidance Notes


(c)

III-29

payment of any dividend,

whichever is the earliest.


(vii) CDT paid shall be treated as the final payment of tax on the dividends and no further credit
therefor shall be claimed by the company or by any person in respect of the tax so paid.
(viii) The expression dividend shall have the same meaning as is given to dividend in clause (22) of
Section 2 but shall not include sub-clause (e) thereof. (The relevant extracts of Section 2(22) of
the Income-tax Act, 1961, have been reproduced in Annexure II).

Accounting for CDT


3. According to generally accepted accounting principles, the provision for dividend is recognised in the
financial statements of the year to which the dividend relates. In view of this, CDT on dividend, being directly
linked to the amount of the dividend concerned, should also be reflected in the accounts of the same
financial year even though the actual tax liability in respect thereof may arise in a different year.

Disclosure and Presentation of CDT In Financial Statements


4. It is noted that clause 3(vi) of Part II of Schedule VI to the Companies Act, 1956 !, requires the
disclosure of the amount of charge for Indian Income-tax and other Indian taxation on profits,
including, where practicable, with Indian income-tax any taxation imposed elsewhere to the extent of
the relief, if any, from Indian income-tax and distinguishing, where practicable, between income-tax and
other taxation. It is also noted that Part II of Schedule VI! only lays down the information to be
disclosed in the profit and loss account. However, as a matter of convention and to improve readability,
the information in the profit and loss account is generally shown in two parts, viz., the first part contains
the information which is required to arrive at the figure of the current years profit - often referred to as
above the line, and the second part which discloses, inter alia, information involving the appropriations
of the current years profits - often referred to as below the line.
5. Since dividends are disclosed below the line, a question arises with regard to disclosure and
presentation of CDT, as to whether the said tax should also be disclosed below the line or should be
disclosed along with the normal income-tax provision for the year above the line.
6. The liability in respect of CDT arises only if the profits are distributed as dividends whereas the
normal income-tax liability arises on the earning of the taxable profits. Since the CDT liability relates to
distribution of profits as dividends which are disclosed below the line, it is appropriate that the liability
in respect of CDT should also be disclosed below the line as a separate item. It is felt that such a
disclosure would give a proper picture regarding payments involved with reference to dividends.

Recommendations
7. CDT liability should be recognised in the accounts of the same financial year in which the
dividend concerned is recognised.
8. CDT liability should be disclosed separately in the profit and loss account, below the line, as
follows:
Dividend
Corporate Dividend Tax thereon

xxxxx
xxxxx

xxxxx

9. Provision for Corporate Dividend Tax should be disclosed separately under the head Provisions
in the balance sheet.
!

Now Schedule III to the Companies Act, 2013.

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III-30

Accounting Pronouncements
Annexure I

Relevant Extracts of the Provisions under Chapter XII D of the Income-tax Act, 1961, regarding
Special Provisions relating to tax on distributed profits of domestic companies.
115 O. Tax on Distributed Profits of Domestic Companies
(1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other provision of this Act and subject to the provisions
of this section, in addition to the income-tax chargeable in respect of the total income of a domestic
company for any assessment year, any amount declared, distributed or paid by such company by way
of dividends (whether interim or otherwise) on or after the 1st day of June, 1997, whether out of current
or accumulated profits shall be charged to additional income-tax (hereafter referred to as tax on
distributed profits) at the rate of ten per cent.
(1A) Notwithstanding that no income-tax is payable by a domestic company on its total income
computed in accordance with the provisions of this Act, the tax on distributed profits under subsection
(1)

shall be payable by such company.

(2)

The principal officer of the domestic company and the company shall be liable to pay the tax on
distributed profits to the credit of the Central Government within fourteen days from the date of (a)
(b)
(c)

declaration of any dividend; or


distribution of any dividend; or
payment of any dividend,

whichever is earliest.
(3)

The tax on distributed profits so paid by the company shall be treated as the final payment of tax
in respect of the amount declared, distributed or paid as dividends and no further credit therefore
shall be claimed by the company or by any other person in respect of the amount of tax so paid.

(4)

No deduction under any other provision of this Act shall be allowed to the company or a
shareholder in respect of the amount which has been charged to tax under sub-section (1) or the
tax thereon.

115 Q
Explanation For the purposes of this Chapter, the expression dividend shall have the same
meaning as is given to dividend in clause (22) of Section 2 but shall not include sub-clause (e)
thereof.
Annexure II
Relevant extracts of the definition of the term dividend as per section 2(22) of the Income Tax
Act, 1961.
2(22) 1Dividend includes (a)
(b)

(c)

any distribution by a company of accumulated profits, whether capitalised or not, if such


distribution entails the release by the company to its shareholders of all or any part of the assets
of the company;
any distribution to its shareholders by a company of debentures, debenture-stock, or deposit
certificates in any form, whether with or without interest, and any distribution to its preference
shareholders of shares by way of bonus, to the extent to which the company possesses
accumulated profits, whether capitalized or not;
any distribution made to the shareholders of a company on its liquidation, to the extent to which
the distribution is attributable to the accumulated profits of the company immediately before its

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes

(d)

(e)

III-31

liquidation, whether capitalised or not;


any distribution to its shareholders by a company on the reduction of its capital, to the extent to
which the company possesses accumulated profits which arose after the end of the previous year
ending next before the 1st day of April, 1933, whether such accumulated profits have been
capitalised or not;
but dividend does not include (i)

a distribution made in accordance with sub-clause (c) or sub-clause (d) in respect of any
share issued for full cash consideration, where the holder of the share is not entitled in the
event of liquidation to participate in the surplus assets;
(ii) any advance or loan made to a shareholder 4[or the said concern] by a company in the
ordinary course of its business, where the lending of money is a substantial part of the
business of the company;
(iii) any dividend paid by a company which is set off by the company against the whole or any
part of any sum previously paid by it and treated as a dividend within the meaning of subclause (e), to the extent to which it is so set off.
Explanation 1. - The expression accumulated profits, wherever it occurs in this clause, shall not
include capital gains arising before the 1st day of April, 1946, or after the 31st day of March, 1948, and
before the 1st day of April,1956.
Explanation 2. - The expression accumulated profits in sub-clauses (a), (b), (d) and (e), shall include
all profits of the company up to the date of distribution or payment referred to in those sub-clauses and
in sub-clause (c) shall include all profits of the company up to the date of liquidation, 5[but shall not,
where the liquidation is consequent on the compulsory acquisition of its undertaking by the Government
or a corporation owned or controlled by the Government under any law for the time being in force,
include any profits of the company prior to three successive previous years immediately preceding the
previous year in which such acquisition took place].

GN(A) 12 (Revised 2000)


Guidance Note on Accounting Treatment for Excise Duty
Introduction
1. The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India had issued a Guidance Note on Accounting
Treatment for Excise Duties in 1979. In order to bring uniformity in the accounting treatment of excise
duty and inventory valuation, the Guidance Note was revised in 1988. Keeping in view further
developments, viz., issuance of the revised Accounting Standard (AS) 2, Valuation of Inventories
(which has come into effect in respect of accounting periods commencing on or after 1.4.1999 and is
mandatory in nature), it has been decided to revise this Guidance Note again. This revised Guidance
Note is being issued in supersession of the earlier Guidance Note issued in 1988 and is effective in
respect of accounting periods beginning on or after April 1,1999.
2. This Guidance Note recommends accounting treatment for Excise Duty in respect of excisable
goods produced or manufactured by an enterprise. A separate Guidance Note on Accounting
Treatment for MODVAT sets out principles for accounting for MODVAT (now renamed as CENVAT).
3. At the outset, this Guidance Note briefly deals with normally accepted accounting principles for
inventory valuation as prescribed in revised Accounting Standard (AS) 2, Valuation of Inventories
issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, and nature of excise duty. For details,
reference should be made to revised Accounting Standard (AS) 2 and Central Excise Act, Rules,
Notifications and Circulars.

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Accounting Pronouncements

Normally Accepted Accounting Principles for Inventory Valuation


4. Normally accepted accounting principles with regard to the valuation of inventories (i.e., materials
or supplies to be consumed in the production process or in the rendering of services, work-in-process
and finished goods), as prescribed in revised Accounting Standard (AS) 2, Valuation of Inventories,
are reproduced below:
5.

Inventories should be valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value.

6. The cost of inventories should comprise all costs of purchase, costs of conversion and other costs
incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.
7. The costs of purchase consist of the purchase price including duties and taxes (other than those
subsequently recoverable by the enterprise from the taxing authorities), freight inwards and other
expenditure directly attributable to the acquisition. Trade discounts, rebates, duty drawbacks and other
similar items are deducted in determining the costs of purchase.
8. The costs of conversion of inventories include costs directly related to the units of production,
such as direct labour. They also include a systematic allocation of fixed and variable production
overheads that are incurred in converting materials into finished goods. Fixed production overheads are
those indirect costs of production that remain relatively constant regardless of the volume of
production, such as depreciation and maintenance of factory buildings and the cost of factory
management and administration. Variable production overheads are those indirect costs of production
that vary directly, or nearly directly, with the volume of production, such as indirect materials and
indirect labour.
9. The allocation of fixed production overheads for the purpose of their inclusion in the costs of
conversion is based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. Normal capacity is the
production expected to be achieved on an average over a number of periods or seasons under normal
circumstances, taking into account the loss of capacity resulting from planned maintenance. The actual
level of production may be used if it approximates normal capacity. The amount of fixed production
overheads allocated to each unit of production is not increased as a consequence of low production or
idle plant. Unallocated overheads are recognised as an expense in the period in which they are
incurred. In periods of abnormally high production, the amount of fixed production overheads allocated
to each unit of production is decreased so that inventories are not measured above cost. Variable
production overheads are assigned to each unit of production on the basis of the actual use of the
production facilities.
11. Other costs are included in the cost of inventories only to the extent that they are incurred in
bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. For example, it may be appropriate to
include overheads other than production overheads or the costs of designing products for specific
customers in the cost of inventories.

Nature of Excise Duty


5. Excise duty is a duty on manufacture or production of excisable goods in India. Section 3 of the
Central Excise Act, 1944, deals with charge of Excise Duty. This Section provides that a duty of excise
on excisable goods which are produced or manufactured in India shall be levied and collected in such
manner as may be prescribed. This prescription is contained in the Central Excise Rules, 1944, which
provide that excise duty shall be collected at the time of removal of goods from factory premises or
from approved place of storage (Rule 49). Rate of duty and tariff valuation to be applied is the one in
force on that date, i.e., the date of removal (Rule 9A) and not the date of manufacture. This difference
in the point of time between taxable event, viz., manufacture and that of its collection has been

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-33

examined and discussed in a number of judgements. For instance, the Supreme Court in the case of
Wallace Flour Mills Co. Ltd. vs. CCE [1989 (44) ELT 598] summed up the legal position as under:
It is well settled by the scheme of the Act as clarified by several decision sthat even though the taxable
event is the manufacture or production of an excisable article, the duty can be levied and collected at a
later stage for administrative convenience. The Scheme of the said Act read with the relevant rules
framed under the Act particularly Rule 9A of the said rules, reveals that the taxable event is the fact of
manufacture or production of an excisable article, the payment of duty is related to the date of removal
of such article from the factory.
Supreme Court in another case, viz., CCE vs. Vazir Sultan Tobacco Co. [1996 (83) ELT 3] held as
under:
We are of the opinion that Section 3 cannot be read as shifting the levy from the stage of manufacture
or production of goods to the stage of removal. The levy is and remains upon the manufacture or
production alone. Only the collection part of it is shifted to the stage of removal.
6. The levy of excise duty is not restricted only to excisable goods manufactured and intended for
sale. It is also leviable on excisable goods manufactured or produced in a factory for internal
consumption. Such intermediate products may be used in manufacture of final products or for repairs
within the factory or for use as capital goods within the factory. Excisable goods so used for captive
consumption may be eligible for exemption under specific notifications issued from time to time.
Finished excisable goods cleared from the place of removal may also be eligible for whole or partial
duty exemption in terms of notifications issued from time to time. Such exemption, subject to specified
limits, if any, may relate to a manufacturer, e.g., a small-scale industrial unit. Exemption may be goods
specific, e.g., handicrafts are currently wholly exempt from duty. The exemption may also be end-use
specific, e.g., goods for use by defence services. Excisable goods can be removed for export out of
India either wholly without payment of duty or under bond or on payment of duty under claim for rebate
of duty paid.
7. Excisable goods, after completion of their manufacturing process, are required to be kept in a
storeroom or other identified place of storage in a factory till the time of their clearance. Each such
storeroom or storage place is required to be declared to the Excise Authorities and approved by them.
Such storeroom or storage place is generally referred to as a Bonded Storeroom. Dutiable goods are
also allowed, subject to approval of Excise Authorities, to be removed without payment of duty, to a
Bonded Warehouse outside factory. In such cases, excise duty is collected at the time of clearance of
goods from such Bonded Warehouses.
8. Amount of excise duty forming part of the sale price of the goods is required to be indicated
separately in all documents relating to assessment of duty, e.g., excise invoice used for clearance of
excisable goods (Section 12A). It is, however, open to a manufacturer to recover excise duty separately
or not to make a separate recovery but charge a consolidated sale price inclusive of excise duty. The
incidence of excise duty is deemed to be passed on to the buyer, unless contrary is proved by the
payer of excise duty (Section 12B).

Excise Duty as An Element of Cost


9. In considering the appropriate treatment of excise duty for the purpose of determination of cost
for inventory valuation, it is necessary to consider whether excise duty should be considered differently
from other expenses.
10. Admittedly, excise duty is an indirect tax but it cannot, for that reason alone, be treated differently
from other expenses. Excise duty arises as a consequence of manufacture of excisable goods

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

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Accounting Pronouncements

irrespective of the manner of use/disposal of goods thereafter, e.g., sale, destruction and captive
consumption. It does not cease to be a levy merely because the same may be remitted by appropriate
authority in case of destruction or exempted in case goods are used for further manufacture of
excisable goods in the factory. Tax (other than a tax on income or sale) payable by a manufacturer is
as much a cost of manufacture as any other expenditure incurred by him and it does not cease to be an
expenditure merely because it is an exaction or a levy or because it is unavoidable. In fact, in a wider
context, any expenditure is an imposition which a manufacturer would like to minimise.
11. Excise duty contributes to the value of the product. A duty paid product has a higher value than
a product on which duty remains to be paid and no sale or further utilisation of excisable goods can
take place unless the duty is paid. It is, therefore, a necessary expense which must be incurred if the
goods are to be put in the location and condition in which they can be sold or further used in the
manufacturing process.
12. Excise duty cannot, therefore, be treated differently from other expenses for the purpose of
determination of cost for inventory valuation. To do so would be contrary to the basic objective of
carrying forward the cost related to inventories until these are sold or consumed.
13. As stated in para 6 above, liability to excise duty arises even on excisable goods manufactured
and used in further manufacturing process. In such a case, excise duty paid (if the same is not
exempted) on the intermediary product becomes a manufacturing expense. Excise duty paid on such
intermediary products must, therefore, be included in the valuation of work-in-process or finished goods
manufactured by the subsequent processing of such products.

Provision for Unpaid Excise Duty


14. Since the point of time at which duty is collected is not necessarily the point of time at which the
liability to pay the duty arises, situations will often arise when duty remains to be collected on goods
which have been manufactured.
The most common of these situations arises when the goods are stored under bond, i.e., in a Bonded
Store Room, and the duty is paid when the goods are removed from such Bonded Store Room.
15. Divergent views exist as to whether provision should be made in the accounts for the liability in
respect of goods which are not cleared or which are lying in bond at the balance sheet date.
16. The arguments in favour of the creation of liability are briefly summarized under:
(a)
(b)

The liability for excise duty arises at the point of time at which the manufacture is completed and
it is only its collection which is deferred; and
failure to provide for the liability will result in the balance sheet not showing a true and fair view of
the state of affairs of the enterprise.

17. The arguments against the creation of the liability, briefly summarised, are as under:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

Though the liability for excise duty arises at the point of time at which the manufacture is
completed, it gets quantified only when goods are cleared from the factory or the bonded
warehouse;
the actual liability for excise duty may get modified by the time the goods are cleared from the
factory or bonded warehouse;
where goods are damaged or destroyed before clearance, excise duty may be waived by the
competent authority and therefore the duty may never be paid; and
failure to provide for the liability does not affect the profits or losses.

18. Since the liability for excise duty arises when the manufacture of the goods is completed, it is

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes

III-35

necessary to create a provision for liability of unpaid excise duty on stocks lying in the factory or
bonded warehouse. It is true that the recovery of the duty is deferred till the goods are removed from
the factory or the bonded warehouse and the exact quantification will, therefore, be at the time of
removal and that estimate of duty made on balance sheet date may change on account of subsequent
events, e.g., change in the rate of duty and exports under bond. But, this is true of many other items
also, e.g., provision for gratuity and this cannot be an argument for not making a provision for existing
liability on estimated basis.
19. The estimate of such liability can be made at the rates in force on the balance sheet date. For this
purpose, other factors affecting liability should also be considered, e.g., exemptions being availed by
the enterprise, pattern of sales export, domestic etc. Thus, if a small-scale undertaking is availing the
benefit of exemption allowed in a particular financial year and declares that it wishes to avail such
exemption during next financial year also, excise duty liability should be calculated after taking into
consideration the availability of exemption under the relevant notification. Similarly, if an enterprise is
captively consuming all its production of a specific product and has been availing of exemption from
payment of duty on that product, no provision for excise duty may be required in respect of non-duty
paid stock of that product lying in factory or bonded warehouse. An auditor must, however, apply
appropriate audit tests while verifying statements and declarations made by an enterprise in this
regard.

Auditors Responsibility
20. The auditor has a responsibility to express his opinion whether the financial statements on which
he reports give a true and fair view of the operating results and state of affairs of the entity. In the case
of companies, under MAOCARO, 1988, the auditor has to express an opinion whether the valuation of
inventories is fair and proper in accordance with normally accepted accounting principles and is on the
same basis as in the earlier years. If there is any change in the basis of valuation, the effect of such
change, if material, is to be reported.
21. As explained in this Guidance Note, the liability for excise duty arises at the point of time at which
the manufacture is completed. The excise duty paid or provided on finished goods should, therefore, be
included in inventory valuation. Similarly, excise duty paid on purchases (other than those subsequently
recoverable by the enterprise from the taxing authorities) as well as intermediary products used for
manufacture should also be included in the valuation of work-in progress or finished goods.
22. If the method of accounting for excise duty is not in accordance with the principles explained in
this Guidance Note, the auditor should qualify his report. In the case of a company, reference to this
qualification should also be made in the auditors report under section 227(4A) of the Companies Act,
1956.

23. Summary of Recommendations


(i)

Excise duty should be considered as a manufacturing expense and like other manufacturing
expenses be considered as an element of cost for inventory valuation.
(ii) Where excise duty is paid on excisable goods and such goods are subsequently utilised in the
manufacturing process, the duty paid on such goods, if the same is not recoverable from taxing
authorities, becomes a manufacturing cost and must be included in the valuation of work-inprogress or finished goods arising from the subsequent processing of such goods.
(iii) Where the liability for excise duty has been incurred but its collection is deferred, provision for the
unpaid liability should be made.

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III-36

Accounting Pronouncements

(iv) Excise duty cannot be treated as a period cost.


(v) If the method of accounting for excise duty is not in accordance with the principles explained in
this Guidance Note, the auditor should qualify his report.

GN(A) 25 (Revised 2000)


Guidance Note on Accounting Treatment for MODVAT / CENVAT
(The following is the text of the Guidance Note on Accounting Treatment for MODVAT/CENVAT, issued
by the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.)

Introduction
1. The Guidance Note on Accounting Treatment for MODVAT was first issued in March 1988. The
Guidance Note was revised in July 1995 in view of extension of MODVAT Credit Scheme to capital
goods. The Guidance Note is revised again with the issuance of revised Accounting Standard (AS) 2 on
Valuation of Inventories, which has come into effect in respect of accounting periods commencing on
or after 1.4.1999 and is mandatory in nature. This revised Guidance Note is issued in supersession of
the earlier Guidance Note issued in July 1995, and is effective in respect of accounting for MODVAT for
accounting periods beginning on or after April 1, 1999. With the substitution of the MODVAT Credit
Scheme with CENVAT Credit Scheme w.e.f. 1.4.2000, this revised Guidance Note also deals with
accounting treatment in respect of the latter Scheme.

Objective
2. The objective of this Guidance Note is to provide guidance in respect of accounting for
MODVAT/CENVAT credit. Salient features of MODVAT and CENVAT credit schemes are briefly set out
hereinafter. Reference may be made to Central Excise Act, 1944, Central Excise Rules, 1944,
Notifications and Circulars issued from time to time for details of the provisions of MODVAT/CENVAT
Schemes. Guidance for accounting for excise duty is provided in the Guidance Note on Accounting
Treatment for Excise Duty, which has been revised and issued separately.

Modvat Credit Scheme (Upto 31.3.2000) Salient


Features
3. Modified Value Added Tax (MODVAT) Scheme allows instant credit of specified duties paid on
specified inputs used in or in relation to manufacture of specified final excisable goods to be utilised for
payment of 552 Compendium of Guidance Notes Accounting excise duties in respect of such goods.
The Scheme covers imported goods as also those acquired indigenously. Specified duty in relation to
imported goods is countervailing duty and in case of indigenous goods is excise duty, additional excise
duty under Additional Duties of Excise (Textile and Textile Articles) Act, 1978 as also additional excise
duty under Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act, 1957.
4. MODVAT Scheme was introduced in 1986, effective from 1.3.86, with a view to reduce the
cascading effect of duties. Initially, the Schemewas restrictive in its application in that
(i)

it applied only to limited categories of inputs and final goods;and

(ii)

use of inputs in or in relation to manufacture of final goods was essential for utilisation of duty
credit for payment of excise duties on clearance of such final goods. In other words, correlation of
inputs and final goods was essential though one to one correlation of inputs was not essential.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes

III-37

5
Significant amendments have since been made to the MODVAT Scheme and the scope of the
Scheme has been expanded considerably. Salient features of the Scheme are summarised hereinafter.
6. The Scheme applies to inputs (Input Duty Credit Scheme) and capital goods (Capital Goods
Duty Credit Scheme).
Input Duty Credit Scheme
7. Provisions in relation to this Scheme are contained in Rules 57A to 57J of the Central Excise
Rules, 1944. The Scheme covers inputs and final products classifiable under any of the headings of the
Chapters of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985. The salient features of the Input Duty Credit Scheme
are as follows:
(i)

The Scheme is operative only when excise duty is payable on final goods. Thus, MODVAT credit
cannot be availed of if the final goods are exempted from duty or are chargeable to nil rate of
duty. However, the Scheme is operative in case the final goods enjoy partial exemption from duty.
(ii) Correlation between inputs and final goods is not required, i.e., Accounting Treatment for
MODVAT/CENVAT 553 duty credit in respect of any input brought into the factory can be utilised
for payment of duty on any final product manufactured in that factory even if that input is not used
in or in relation to manufacture of that final product.
(iii) A manufacturer is required to debit RG 23A or account current with an amount equal to 10% of
the value of inputs or partially processed inputs removed from his factory for jobwork. The said
amount is available as credit on return of processed/final goods to his factory from jobworkers
premises or on clearance of such processed/final goods from jobworkers premises, if so
permitted by the Commissioner, within specified time period.
The debited amount is also available for adjustment against duty payable on such inputs or
partially processed inputs not received back within specified time.
(iv) If common inputs are used in manufacture of final products which do not attract duty liability as
also those which are chargeable to duty, manufacturer (except in specified cases) is required to
pay an amount equal to 8% of the price of products not chargeable to duty at the time of
clearance of such products.
8. Supreme Court in a recent judgement in the case of CCE, Pune vs.Dai Ichi Karkaria Ltd. [1999
(112) ELT 353; decided on 11.8.99] had occasion to summarise the Scheme. Relevant extract from the
decision is reproduced below:
It is clear from these Rules, as we read them, that a manufacturer obtains credit for the excise duty
paid on raw material to be used by him in the production of an excisable product immediately it makes
the requisite declaration and obtains an acknowledgement thereof.
It is entitled to use the credit at any time thereafter when making payment of excise duty on the
excisable product. There is no provision in the Rules which provides for a reversal of the credit by the
excise authorities except where it has been illegally or irregularly taken, in which event it stands
cancelled or, if utilised, has to be paid for. We are here really concerned with credit that has been
validly taken, and its benefit is available to the manufacturer without any limitation in time or otherwise
unless the manufacturer itself chooses not to use the raw material in its excisable product. The credit
is, therefore, indefeasible. It should also be noted there is no co-relation of the raw material and the
final product; that is to say, it is not as if credit can be taken only on a final product that is
manufactured out of the particular raw material to which the credit is related. The credit may be taken
against the excise duty on a final product manufactured on the very day that it becomes available.

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Accounting Pronouncements

Capital Goods Duty Credit Scheme


9. Provisions in relation to this Scheme are contained in Rules 57Q to 57U of the Central Excise
Rules, 1944. The salient features of the Capital Goods Duty Credit Scheme are as follows:
(i)

The Scheme covers specified capital goods used in the factory of the manufacturer in relation to
the production of specified final products;

(ii)

A manufacturer would not be entitled to the MODVAT credit on capital goods until the capital
goods are installed or, as the case may be, used for manufacture of excisable goods, in the
factory of the manufacturer;

(iii) A manufacturer has option to:


(a)

avail MODVAT credit in respect of duty paid on capital goods as per the Rules;
or

(b)

claim depreciation on duty element under Section 32 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 or claim
deduction of duty element by way of revenue expenditure under any section of the Incometax Act, 1961, as the case may be;

(iv) A manufacturer can claim MODVAT credit of the duty element of capital goods even if capital
goods are acquired on lease, hire-purchase or loan agreement if specified duty is paid by
manufacturer either directly to capital goods supplier or to the finance company before payment
of first lease/hire-purchase or loan installment, as the case may be.
General
10. The general salient features relevant to Input Duty Credit Scheme and Capital Goods Duty Credit
Scheme are as below:
(i)

A manufacturer is required to comply with various procedural requirements, in particular, filing of


declaration, and maintenance of register of receipts, issues and balance of inputs and capital
goods in Form RG-23A Part I and RG-23C Part I, respectively.
It is also required to maintain registers related to MODVAT credit in respect of inputs and capital
goods in Form RG-23A Part II and RG-23C Part II, respectively.

(ii)

There is no time limit for utilisation of MODVAT credit. Government is, however, empowered to
provide for lapsing of unutilised credit balances for specific products.

(iii) Cash refund of duty credit is not allowable except in case of export of goods if the manufacturer is
unable to utilise duty credit towards payment of excise duty on clearance of final goods from his
factory.

Cenvat Scheme (Effective From 1.4.2000) Salient


Features
11. Modified Value Added Tax (MODVAT) scheme has been replaced by Central Value Added Tax
(CENVAT) Scheme with effect from 1.4.2000.
The same is contained in newly inserted Rules 57AA to 57AK. CENVAT Scheme, in essence, is the
same as MODVAT Scheme except that it is simpler in that, the erstwhile separate schemes for inputs
and capital goods are merged into one under CENVAT Scheme. The scope of the Scheme is also
expanded in that all inputs (except High Speed Diesel Oil and Petrol) and specified capital goods
(except equipments or appliances used in office) are covered in the Scheme.

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12. Procedural simplifications have been introduced and requirement of filing declarations has been
dispensed with.
13. The major difference between MODVAT and CENVAT Schemes is in relation to capital goods.
The CENVAT credit in respect of capital goods received in a factory at any point of time in a given
financial year is allowed to be taken only for an amount not exceeding fifty percent of the duty paid on
such capital goods in the same financial year. The balance of CENVAT credit can be taken in any
financial year(s) subsequent to the financial year in which the capital goods were received in the factory
of the manufacturer provided capital goods are still in the possession and use of the manufacturer of
final products in such subsequent year(s). The condition of possession and use is not applicable to
components, spares and accessories, refactories and refractory materials and goods falling under Tariff
Heading 68.02 and sub-heading 6801.10 of first Schedule of the Central Excise Tariff Act, 1985, if they
are not removed without use.
14. Outstanding balances in MODVAT Credit accounts are allowed to be transferred to the CENVAT
Credit accounts and utilized as per the CENVAT Scheme.

Accounting Treatment In Case Of Inputs Used In Or In Relation To Manufacture


Of Final Products
15. In the light of the basic features of MODVAT/CENVAT discussed above, it may be stated that
MODVAT/CENVAT is a procedure whereby the manufacturer can utilise credit for specified duty on
inputs against duty payable on final products. Duty credit taken on inputs is of the nature of setoff
available against the payment of excise duty on the final products.
16. Specified duty paid on inputs may be debited to a separate account, e.g., MODVAT/CENVAT
Credit Receivable (Inputs) Account. As and when MODVAT/CENVAT credit is actually utilised against
payment of excise duty on final products, appropriate accounting entries will be required to adjust the
excise duty paid out of MODVAT/CENVAT Credit Receivable (Inputs) Account to the account
maintained for payment/provision for excise duty on final product. In this case, the purchase cost of the
inputs would be net of the specified duty on inputs. Therefore, the inputs consumed and the inventory
of inputs would be valued on the basis of purchase cost net of the specified duty on inputs. The debit
balance in MODVAT/CENVAT Credit Receivable (Inputs) Account should be shown on the assets side
under the head advances.
An illustration of the above method is given in Annexure A.
17. It may be appropriate to quote the following paragraphs nos. 6 and 7, dealing with cost of
inventories and costs of purchase, of Accounting Standard (AS) 2 (Revised) on Valuation of
Inventories, issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.
6. The cost of inventories should comprise all costs of purchases, costs of conversion and other
costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition.
7. The costs of purchase consist of the purchase price including duties and taxes (other than those
subsequently recoverable by the enterprise from the taxing authorities), freight inwards and other
expenditure directly attributable to the acquisition. Trade discounts, rebates, duty drawbacks and other
similar items are deducted in determining the costs of purchase. Particular attention is invited to the
paragraph related to costs of purchase, according to which, only those duties have to be included as
costs of purchase which are not subsequently recoverable by the enterprise from the taxing authorities.
Since the specified duty on inputs is available for setoff against the excise duty on final products, it is
considered of the nature of duty recoverable from taxing authorities.

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Accounting Pronouncements

18. A question may arise as to when the MODVAT/CENVAT credit should be taken if documents
evidencing payment of specified duty on inputs are received later than the physical receipt of the
goods. According to the accrual concept of accounting, one may account for such credit, provided one
is reasonably certain of getting the said documents at a later date.

Change in Accounting Policy


19. In cases, where enterprises were accounting for MODVAT credit on inputs in accordance with the
erstwhile inclusive method, i.e., the second alternative1 recommended in the earlier edition (1995) of
the Guidance Note on Accounting Treatment for MODVAT, they will have to change the method of
accounting in accordance with paragraph 16 of this Guidance Note. Accordingly, such an enterprise will
have to adjust the amount of opening stock in respect of the accounting periods commencing on or
after April 1, 1999, in such a way so that the opening stock should appear at the amount which would
have been arrived at had the method suggested in paragraph 16 of this Guidance Note been followed.
This could be done by adjusting the amount of opening stock in respect of the accounting periods
commencing on or after April 1, 1999, by the amount of the balance lying in the MODVAT credit availed
account. Further, an amount equal to the balance of RG23A register, representing the MODVAT credit
receivable in respect of the inputs purchased in the earlier years should be transferred to MODVAT
Credit Receivable Account2 with a corresponding adjustment in the amount of opening stock. After the
aforesaid adjustments, the MODVAT Credit Receivable Account should also appear at the amount
which would have been arrived at had the method suggested in paragraph 16 of this Guidance Note
been followed. An example illustrating the change in accounting policy has been given as Annexure B.
Appropriate disclosures as per Accounting Standard (AS) 5, Net Profit or Loss for the Period, Prior
Period Items and Changes in Accounting Policies, are also required to be made in the financial
statements for change in accounting policy.

Accounting Treatment Job-work


Accounting treatment in case of inputs and/or partially processed inputs sent outside the factory to jobworker for further processing
20. In a case where an enterprise removes inputs as such or in a partially processed form to a place
outside the factory for the purpose of testing, repairing, refining, reconditioning or carrying out any
other operations necessary for manufacture of final products, the enterprise is required to debit
MODVAT Credit Register (RG 23A) or account current with an amount equal to 10% of the value of
inputs or partially processed inputs, as the case may be. The said debit is in the nature of deposit and
is available for credit at the time of return of duly processed goods to the factory within the prescribed
time. The said deposit is also available for adjustment against duty payment if the goods are not
received back in the factory within the prescribed time limit. If this amount is debited to MODVAT Credit
Register (RG 23A), the same should be accounted for as a deposit and should be debited to a separate
account with appropriate nomenclature say, MODVAT Credit Deposit (Jobwork) Account and credited
to MODVAT Credit Receivable Account. This deposit amount should be credited and MODVAT Credit
Receivable Account should be debited at the time of receipt of duly processed goods in the factory
within the prescribed time limit or for adjustment of duty if the goods are not received back in the
factory within the prescribed time limit. This requirement of debit has been dispensed with under
CENVAT Scheme.
Accounting treatment in case of inputs received by enterprise for further processing on job-work basis
21. An enterprise may receive inputs from a principal for processing and/ or converting to final
products on job work basis and may be required to avail MODVAT/CENVAT credit on such inputs and
discharge duty liability on clearance of final products on behalf of the principal; the ownership of the

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inputs and final products continuing to be of the principal. In such cases, the enterprise should, at the
time of taking MOVDAT/CENVAT credit, debit an appropriate account say, MODVAT/CENVAT Credit
Receivable Account and the account to be credited would depend upon the terms of jobwork with the
principal. If the enterprise is required to bear excise duty burden, Excise Duty Account should be
credited. If, on the other hand, excise duty is to be paid on the principals account, Principal Account
should be credited. Similarly, in former case, excise duty paid on clearance of final products should be
debited to Excise Duty Account and in latter case to Principal Account and credited to
MODVAT/CENVAT Credit Receivable Account.

Accounting Treatment for Modvat Credit In Case Of Capital Goods Used For
Manufacture Of Specified Goods
22. In case an enterprise does not avail MODVAT credit on capital goods obviously no accounting
treatment would be necessary. The following paragraphs apply only to those situations where an
enterprise avails of MODVAT credit on capital goods.
23. Accounting Standard (AS) 10 on Accounting for Fixed Assets, issued by the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India, states, inter-alia, in para 9.1, as follows:
The cost of an item of fixed asset comprises its purchase price, including import duties and other nonrefundable taxes or levies and any directly attributable cost of bringing the asset to its working
condition for its intended use; any trade discounts and rebates are deducted in arriving at the purchase
price.
MODVAT credit can be considered is of the nature of a refundable tax. Therefore, MODVAT credit
should be reduced from the purchase cost of capital goods concerned.
24. In view of the above, the specified duty on capital goods should be debited to separate account,
e.g., MODVAT Credit Receivable (Capital Goods) Account. On actual utilisation, the account will be
adjusted against excise duty on final products. Accordingly, the purchase cost of the capital goods
would be net of the specified duty on capital goods. The unadjusted balance standing in the MODVAT
Credit Receivable (Capital Goods) Account, if any, should be shown on the assets side under the head
advances.
25. MODVAT credit in respect of capital goods should be recognised in the books of account when
the following conditions are satisfied:
(i)
(ii)

The enterprise is entitled to the MODVAT credit as per the Rules, and
There is a reasonable certainty that the MODVAT credit would be utilised.

Accounting Treatemnt For Cenvat Credit In Case Of Capital Goods


26. The nature of the CENVAT Credit in respect of capital goods is the same as that of MODVAT
Credit. However, the CENVAT Credit in respect of capital goods is allowed for an amount not
exceeding fifty percent of the duty paid on such capital goods in the financial year in which the goods
are received in factory and the balance will be allowed in the subsequent year(s).
In case the conditions specified in para 25 above are met and the enterprise decides to take CENVAT
credit, the entire amount of CENVAT Credit should be deducted from the cost of capital goods. The
amount of CENVAT credit taken in the financial year, in which goods are received, should be debited to
an appropriate account, say, CENVAT Credit Receivable (Capital Goods)
Accounting Treatment for MODVAT/CENVAT
Account and balance may be debited to another appropriate account, say, CENVAT Credit Deferred
Account. In the subsequent financial year(s), when balance CENVAT credit is availed of, the

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Accounting Pronouncements

appropriate adjustment for the same should be made, i.e., amount of CENVAT credit availed of should
be credited to CENVAT Credit Deferred Account with a corresponding debit to CENVAT Credit
Receivable (Capital Goods) Account.

Accounting Treatment Where Capital Goods Are Acquired On Lease Or Hire


Purchase
27. MODVAT/CENVAT credit is available to the lessee or hirer where the capital goods have been
acquired on lease or hire purchase. The accounting treatment in this regard is described hereinafter.
28. In the books of the lessor, where the financing arrangement also covers the specified duty on
capital goods, the asset given on lease should be shown at purchase cost net of the specified duty on
the capital goods. The specified duty on capital goods, which would be availed of as
MODVAT/CENVAT credit by the lessee, should be recorded and disclosed separately as the duty
recoverable from the lessee. This will not form part of Minimum Lease Payments in view of the
definition of the aforesaid term reproduced below from the Guidance Note on Accounting for Leases,
issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India:
Minimum Lease Payments: The payments over the lease term that the lessee is or can be required to
make (excluding costs for services and taxes to be paid by and be reimbursable to the lessor) together
with the residual value.
Where the specified duty on capital goods does not form part of the financing arrangement and the
lessee pays the duty directly to the supplier, obviously the same need not be recorded in the books of
the lessor. In the books of the lessee, MODVAT/CENVAT credit receivable on the capital assets
acquired on lease should be treated in the same manner as recommended in paras 24 and 26 above,
except that the cost of the relevant leased capital asset and depreciation is not accounted in the books
of the lessee.
29. Capital asset acquired on hire purchase should be recorded and disclosed at net cash value, i.e.,
cash value net of MODVAT/CENVAT credit receivable in the books of the hirer. The other accounting
treatment in relation to MODVAT/CENVAT in the books of the hirer should be the same as if the asset
has been acquired on outright purchase basis. The aforesaid accounting treatment, in the books of the
hirer, should be made whether or not the specified duty on the capital goods forms part of the financing
arrangement.
In the books of the vendor, in case the specified duty on capital goods forms part of the hire purchase
arrangement and the benefit of MODVAT/CENVAT credit is available to the hirer, the vendor should
book the sale in the normal course inclusive of the specified duty on the capital goods. However, where
the specified duty on the capital goods does not form part of the financing arrangement and the hirer
directly assumes the liability in respect thereof, the same need not be recorded in the books of the
vendor.

Review of Balances In Modvat/Cenvat Credit Receivable Accounts


30. Balances in MODVAT/CENVAT Credit Receivable Accounts, pertaining to both inputs and capital
goods, should be reviewed at the end of the year and if it is found that the balances of the
MODVAT/CENVAT credit are not likely to be used in the normal course of business within a reasonable
time, then, notwithstanding the right to carry forward such excess credit in the Excise Rules, the nonuseable excess credit should be adjusted in the accounts. The consequence would be that the
balances of the MODVAT/ CENVAT Credit Receivable Accounts in the financial accounts may be lower
than the credit available as per the MODVAT/CENVAT Credit registers. In such a case, a reconciliation
statement would have to be prepared indicating the amounts adjusted so that a track is kept for the

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difference between the balances and the difference between the financial accounts and the credit
available as per the excise registers can be explained in subsequent years also.
31. (a)

The above adjustment related to input credit should be made to the raw material or input
purchase account. The effect of this would be to increase the cost of purchase and thereby
to increase the cost of inputs for the purpose of accounting for consumption and valuation of
closing stocks. Where it is not possible to debit or identify this excess credit to a particular
lot or lots of materials purchased, such excess credit may be apportioned over the entire
purchases of raw materials, components etc., entitled to MODVAT/CENVAT credit during
the year on pro-rata basis.

(b)

The adjustment of excess credit related to capital goods should be made to the concerned
Capital Goods Account. The excess MODVAT/ CENVAT credit, either availed or deferred,
which relates to fixed assets acquired, should be added to the cost of the relevant fixed
asset. For accounting purposes, depreciation on the revised unamortised depreciable
amount should be provided prospectively over the residual useful life of the asset. In case
the fixed asset no longer exists, the relevant amount should be written-off in the profit and
loss account. To facilitate aforesaid treatment, MODVAT/CENVAT credit record should be
maintained fixed asset-wise in the relevant RG Register. In relation to capital goods other
than fixed assets, the accounting treatment for the excess MODVAT/CENVAT credit would
be the same as stated in para 31(a) above. It is, therefore, advisable that
MODVAT/CENVAT Credit Receivable (Capital Goods) Account is maintained separately for
fixed assets and other capital goods.

(c)

For capital goods acquired on lease, the amount of excess MODVAT/ CENVAT credit
should be written-off on a pro-rata basis along with the lease rentals.

32. Where, at any time during the year, it is revealed that the terms and conditions subject to which
the benefit of MODVAT/CENVAT credit is available, have not been complied with or are not being
capable of compliance, e.g., where the inputs are destroyed prior to the manufacture of final product or
the relevant plant and machinery cannot be put to use for the manufacture of final product, appropriate
adjustments should be made in the accounts to reverse such credit which cannot be availed of, as
recommended in para 31 (a) for inputs and 31 (b) and (c) for capital goods.

Accounting Treatment for Duty Demands Paid By Debit to Modvat/Cenvat Credit


Balance Inputs And/ Or Capital Goods
33. An enterprise may choose to discharge excise duty demands made by Central Excise Department
from time to time by way of debit to MODVAT/ CENVAT credit balance pertaining either to inputs or to
capital goods. In that case, the duty demand so paid out of the MODVAT/CENVAT credit 564
Compendium of Guidance Notes Accounting balance should be debited to appropriate account,
depending upon the nature of demand and credit should be given to MODVAT/CENVAT Credit
Receivable Account. For example, if the duty demand pertains to excise duty on finished goods, the
same should be debited to excise duty account. If, on the other hand, it pertains to disallowance of
MODVAT/CENVAT credit taken on purchase of raw materials during the year, the same should be
added to the cost of inputs. Appropriate adjustment in that case would have to be made while valuing
inventory of inputs. If the duty demand pertains to disallowance of MODVAT/CENVAT credit in respect
of purchases effected in earlier years, the accounting treatment would depend on whether the said
inputs are consumed or are available in stock. If they are consumed, the disallowance should be
debited to excise duty account and treated as expense of the current year. If raw materials are still
lying in stock, duty demand should be added to the cost of stock of inputs.

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Accounting Pronouncements

Valuation of Inventories Of Inputs


34. The inventory of inputs should be valued at net of input duty. In other words, the specified duty
paid on inputs will not form part of the cost of inventories. Balance in MODVAT/CENVAT Credit
Receivable (Inputs) Account should be shown in the Balance Sheet under the head advances on the
assets side.
35. In some cases inputs may be exempted from excise duty in the hands of the supplier, e.g., job
charges are exempt from excise duty provided the prescribed procedures are observed. Small-scale
suppliers who are in the exempted category may also supply the inputs free from the levy of excise
duty. In such circumstances normal valuation rules in determining the cost of inventories are to be
applied as these are not subject to the specified duty on inputs relief. Where purchases are made from
the dealers who are not eligible under the Central Excise Rules to pass MODVAT/CENVAT credit and,
therefore, cannot issue an invoice in accordance with the aforesaid Rules, the valuation should be
made at the actual cost inclusive of excise duty.
36. In some cases, the same item of input can be obtained from different sources, some of them may
be able to provide the required documents evidencing payment of duty while others may not be able to
provide the required documents. In such cases where it is not possible for the buyer to take advantage
of the MODVAT/CENVAT credit, the closing stock of inputs of such items should be valued inclusive of
the specified duty on inputs. Accounting Treatment for MODVAT/CENVAT 565 37. If any input is used
for the production of more than one final product, some of which are excisable while others are either
not chargeable to excise duty or chargeable at nil rate of duty, and separate inventory of the input is
not maintained, the entire inventory of inputs should be valued at net of input duty. However, if
separate inventory is being maintained, the inventory of inputs useable for final products chargeable to
excise duty should be valued at net of input duty and the inventory of inputs useable for final products
not chargeable to duty should be valued at the actual cost inclusive of excise duty.
38. While valuing inventories of final products 4, the value of inputs should be net of the duty on
inputs, that is, the purchase cost as reduced by the MODVAT/CENVAT credit.

Valuation of Inventory of Capital Goods


39. Inventories of capital goods should be valued net of MODVAT/ CENVAT credit taken on capital
goods. In other words, specified duties paid on such capital goods will not form part of their cost.
Note: For Accounting treatment of excise duty with regard to valuation of inventories, reference may be
made to the Guidance Note on Accounting Treatment for Excise Duty, issued by the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India.
For the appendices given in the Guidance Note , students are advised to refer compendium of
Guidance Notes Accounting (as on July, 2006)

GN(A) 18 (Issued 2005)


Guidance Note on Accounting for Employee Share-based Payments
(The following is the text of the Guidance Note on Accounting for Employee Share-based Payments,
issued by the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.)

Introduction
1. Some employers use share-based payments as a part of remuneration package for their
employees. Such payments generally take the forms of Employee Stock Option Plans (ESOPs),
Employee Stock Purchase Plans (ESPPs) and stock appreciation rights. ESOPs are plans under which

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-45

an enterprise grants options for a specified period to its employees to purchase its shares at a fixed or
determinable price. ESPPs are plans under which the enterprise grants rights to its employees to
purchase its shares at a stated price at the time of public issue or otherwise. Stock appreciation rights
is a form of employee share-based payments whereby the employees become entitled to a future cash
payment or shares based on the increase in the price of the shares from a specified level over a
specified period. Apart from using share-based payments to compensate employees for their services,
such payments are also used by an employer as an incentive to the employees to remain in its
employment or to reward them for their efforts in improving its performance.
2. Recognising the need for establishing uniform sound accounting principles and practices for all
types of share-based payments, the Accounting Standards Board of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of India is developing an Accounting Standard covering various types of share-based
payments including employee share-based payments. However, as the formulation of the Standard is
likely to take some time, the Institute has decided to bring out this Guidance Note. The Guidance Note
recognises that there are two methods of accounting for employee share-based payments, viz., the fair
value method and the intrinsic value method and permits as an alternative the intrinsic value method
with fair value disclosures. Once the Accounting Standard dealing with Sharebased Payments comes
into force, this Guidance Note will automatically stand withdrawn.

Scope
3. This Guidance Note establishes financial accounting and reporting principles for employee sharebased payment plans, viz., ESOPs, ESPPs and stock appreciation rights. For the purposes of this
Guidance Note, the term employee includes a director of the enterprise, whether whole time or not.
4. For the purposes of this Guidance Note, a transfer of shares or stock options of an enterprise by
its shareholders to its employees is also an employee share-based payment, unless the transfer is
clearly for a purpose other than payment for services rendered to the enterprise. This also applies to
transfers of shares or stock options of the parent of the enterprise, or shares or stock options of
another enterprise in the same group1 as the enterprise, to the employees of the enterprise.
5. For the purposes of this Guidance Note, a transaction with an employee in his/her capacity as a
holder of shares of the enterprise is not an employee share-based payment. For example, if an
enterprise grants all holders of a particular class of its shares the right to acquire additional shares or
stock options of the enterprise at a price that is less than the fair value of those shares or stock
options, and an employee receives such a right because he/she is a holder of shares or stock options
of that particular class, the granting or exercise of that right is not subject to the requirements of this
Guidance Note.
6. For the purposes of this Guidance Note, a grant of shares to the employees at the time of public
issue is not an employee share-based payment if the price and other terms at which the shares are
offered to employees are the same or similar to those at which the shares have been offered to general
investors, for example, in a public issue an enterprise grants shares to its employees as a preferential
allotment while the price and other terms remain the same as those to other investors.

Definitions
7.

For the purpose of this Guidance Note, the following terms are used with the meanings specified:

Employee Stock Option is a contract that gives the employees of the enterprise the right, but not the
obligation, for a specified period of time to purchase or subscribe to the shares of the enterprise at a
fixed or determinable price.
Employee Stock Option Plan is a plan under which the enterprise grants Employee Stock Options.

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Accounting Pronouncements

Employee Stock Purchase Plan is a plan under which the enterprise offers shares to its employees as
part of a public issue or otherwise.
Equity is the residual interest in the assets of an enterprise after deducting all its liabilities.
Exercise means making of an application by the employee to the enterprise for issue of shares against
the option vested in him in pursuance of the Employee Stock Option Plan.
Exercise Period is the time period after vesting within which the employee should exercise his right to
apply for shares against the option vested in him in pursuance of the Employee Stock Option Plan.
Expected Life of an Option is the period of time from grant date to the date on which an option is
expected to be exercised.
Exercise Price is the price payable by the employee for exercising the option granted to him in
pursuance of the Employee Stock Option Plan.
Fair Value is the amount for which stock option granted or a share offered for purchase could be
exchanged between knowledgeable, willing parties in an arms length transaction.
Grant Date is the date at which the enterprise and its employees agree to the terms of an employee
share-based payment plan. At grant date, the enterprise confers on the employees the right to cash or
shares of the enterprise, provided the specified vesting conditions, if any, are met. If that agreement is
subject to an approval process, (for example, by shareholders), grant date is the date when that
approval is obtained.
Intrinsic Value is the amount by which the quoted market price of the underlying share in case of a
listed enterprise or the value of the underlying
Accounting for share determined by an independent valuer in case of an unlisted enterprise, exceeds
the exercise price of an option.
Market Condition is a condition upon which the exercise price, vesting or exercisability of a share or a
stock option depends that is related to the market price of the shares of the enterprise, such as
attaining a specified share price or a specified amount of intrinsic value of a stock option, or achieving
a specified target that is based on the market price of the shares of the enterprise relative to an index
of market prices of shares of other enterprises.
Reload Feature is a feature that provides for an automatic grant of additional stock options whenever
the option holder exercises previously granted options using the shares of the enterprise, rather than
cash, to satisfy the exercise price.
Reload Option is a new stock option granted when a share of the enterprise is used to satisfy the
exercise price of a previous stock option.
Repricing of an employee stock option means changing the existing exercise price of the option to a
different price.
Stock Appreciation Rights are the rights that entitle the employees to receive cash or shares for an
amount equivalent to any excess of the market value of a stated number of enterprises shares over a
stated price. The form of payment may be specified when the rights are granted or may be determined
when they are exercised; in some plans, the employee may choose the form of payment.
Vest is to become entitled to receive cash or shares on satisfaction of any specified vesting conditions
under an employee share-based payment plan.
Vesting Period is the period between the grant date and the date on which all the specified vesting
conditions of an employee share-based payment plan are to be satisfied.

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-47

Vesting Conditions are the conditions that must be satisfied for the employee to become entitled to
receive cash, or shares of the enterprise, pursuant to an employee share-based payment plan. Vesting
conditions include service conditions, which require the employee to complete a specified period of
service, and performance conditions, which require specified performance targets to be met (such as a
specified increase in the enterprises share price over a specified period of time).
Volatility is a measure of the amount by which a price has fluctuated (historical volatility) or is expected
to fluctuate (expected volatility) during a period. The volatility of a share price is the standard deviation
of the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a specified period.

Accounting
8. For accounting purposes, employee share-based payment plans are classified into the following
categories:
(a)
(b)
(c)

Equity-settled: Under these plans, the employees receive shares.


Cash-settled: Under these plans, the employees receive cash based on the price (or value) of the
enterprises shares.
Employee share-based payment plans with cash alternatives: Under these plans, either the
enterprise or the employee has a choice of whether the enterprise settles the payment in cash or
by issue of shares.

9. A share-based payment plan falling in the above categories can be accounted for by adopting the
fair value method or the intrinsic value method. The accounting treatment recommended hereinbelow is
based on the fair value method. The application of the intrinsic value method is explained thereafter in
paragraph 40.

Equity-Settled Employee Share-Based Payment Plans


Recognition
10. An enterprise should recognise as an expense (except where service received qualifies to be
included as a part of the cost of an asset) the services received in an equity-settled employee sharebased payment plan when it receives the services, with a corresponding credit to an appropriate equity
account, say, Stock Options Outstanding Account. This account is transitional in nature as it gets
ultimately transferred to another equity account such as share capital, securities premium account
and/or general reserve as recommended in the subsequent paragraphs of this Guidance Note.
11. If the shares or stock options granted vest immediately, the employee is not required to complete
a specified period of service before becoming unconditionally entitled to those instruments. In the
absence of evidence to the contrary, the enterprise should presume that services rendered by the
employee as consideration for the instruments have been received. In this case, on the grant date, the
enterprise should recognise services received in full with a corresponding credit to the equity account.
12. If the shares or stock options granted do not vest until the employee completes a specified period
of service, the enterprise should presume that the services to be rendered by the employee as
consideration for those instruments will be received in the future, during the vesting period. The
enterprise should account for those services as they are rendered by the employee during the vesting
period, on a time proportion basis, with a corresponding credit to the equity account.
Determination of vesting period
13. A grant of shares or stock options to an employee is typically conditional on the employee
remaining in the employment of the enterprise for a specified period of time. Thus, if an employee is
granted stock options conditional upon completing three years service, then the enterprise should

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Accounting Pronouncements

presume that the services to be rendered by the employee as consideration for the stock options will be
received in the future, over that three-year vesting period.
14. There might be performance conditions that must be satisfied, such as the enterprise achieving a
specified growth in profit or a specified increase in the share price of the enterprise. Thus, if an
employee is granted stock options conditional upon the achievement of a performance condition and
remaining in the employment of the enterprise until that performance condition is satisfied, and the
length of the vesting period varies depending on when that performance condition is satisfied, the
enterprise should presume that the services to be rendered by the employee as consideration for the
stock options will be received in the future, over the expected vesting period. The enterprise should
estimate the length of the expected vesting period at grant date, based on the most likely outcome of
the performance condition. If the performance condition is a market condition, the estimate of the
length of the expected vesting period should be consistent with the assumptions used in estimating the
fair value of the options granted, and should not be subsequently revised. If the performance condition
is not a market condition, the enterprise should revise its estimate of the length of the vesting period, if
necessary, if subsequent information indicates that the length of the vesting period differs from
previous estimates.
Measurement
15. Typically, shares (under ESPPs) or stock options (under ESOPs) are granted to employees as
part of their remuneration package, in addition to a cash salary and other employment benefits.
Usually, it is not possible to measure directly the services received for particular components of the
employees remuneration package. It might also not be possible to measure the fair value of the total
remuneration package independently, without measuring directly the fair value of the shares or stock
options granted. Furthermore, shares or stock options are sometimes granted as part of a bonus
arrangement, rather than as a part of basic pay, e.g., as an incentive to the employees to remain in the
employment of the enterprise or to reward them for their efforts in improving the performance of the
enterprise. By granting shares or stock options, in addition to other remuneration, the enterprise is
paying additional remuneration to obtain additional benefits. Estimating the fair value of those
additional benefits is likely to be difficult. Because of the difficulty of measuring directly the fair value of
the services received, the enterprise should measure the fair value of the employee services received
by reference to the fair value of the shares or stock options granted.
Determining the fair value of shares or stock options granted
16. An enterprise should measure the fair value of shares or stock options granted at the grant date,
based on market prices if available, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which those
shares or stock options were granted (subject to the requirements of paragraphs 18 to 21). If market
prices are not available, the enterprise should estimate the fair value of the instruments granted using a
valuation technique to estimate what the price of those instruments would have been on the grant date
in an arms length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties. The valuation technique should
be consistent with generally accepted valuation methodologies for pricing financial instruments (e.g.,
use of an option pricing model for valuing stock options) and should incorporate all factors and
assumptions that knowledgeable, willing market participants would consider in setting the price (subject
to the requirements of paragraphs 18 to 21).
17. Appendix I contains further guidance on the measurement of the fair value of shares and stock
options, focusing on the specific terms and conditions that are common features of a grant of shares or
stock options to employees.

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-49

Treatment of vesting conditions


18. Vesting conditions, other than market conditions, should not be taken into account when
estimating the fair value of the shares or stock options at the grant date. Instead, vesting conditions
should be taken into account by adjusting the number of shares or stock options included in the
measurement of the transaction amount so that, ultimately, the amount recognised for employee
services received as consideration for the shares or stock options granted is based on the number of
shares or stock options that eventually vest. Hence, on a cumulative basis, no amount is recognized for
employee services received if the shares or stock options granted do not vest because of failure to
satisfy a vesting condition (i.e., these are forfeited2 ), e.g., the employee fails to complete a specified
service period, or a performance condition is not satisfied, subject to the requirements of paragraph 20.
19. To apply the requirements of paragraph 18, the enterprise should recognise an amount for the
employee services received during the vesting period based on the best available estimate of the
number of shares or stock options expected to vest and should revise that estimate, if necessary, if
subsequent information indicates that the number of shares or stock options expected to vest differs
from previous estimates. On vesting date, the enterprise should revise the estimate to equal the
number of shares or stock options that ultimately vest, subject to the requirements of paragraph 20.
2The term forfeiture is used to refer only to an employees failure to earn a vested right to obtain
shares or stock options because the specified vesting conditions are not satisfied.
20. Market conditions, such as a target share price upon which vesting (or exercisability) is
conditioned, should be taken into account when estimating the fair value of the shares or stock options
granted. Therefore, for grants of shares or stock options with market conditions, the enterprise should
recognise the services received from an employee who satisfies all other vesting conditions (e.g.,
services received from an employee who remains in service for the specified period of service),
irrespective of the fact whether that market condition is satisfied.
Treatment of a reload feature
21. For options with a reload feature, the reload feature should not be taken into account when
estimating the fair value of options granted at the grant date. Instead, a reload option should be
accounted for as a new option grant, if and when a reload option is subsequently granted.
After vesting date
22. On exercise of the right to obtain shares or stock options, the enterprise issues shares on receipt
of the exercise price. The shares so issued should be considered to have been issued at the
consideration comprising the exercise price and the corresponding amount standing to the credit of the
relevant equity account (e.g., Stock Options Outstanding Account). In a situation where the right to
obtain shares or stock option expires unexercised, the balance standing to the credit of the relevant
equity account should be transferred to general reserve.
Appendix II contains various illustrations of the accounting for equity settled employee share-based
payment plans that do not involve modifications to the terms and conditions of the grants.
Modifications to the terms and conditions on which shares or stock options were granted,
including cancellations and settlements
23. An enterprise might modify the terms and conditions on which the shares or stock options were
granted. For example, it might reduce the exercise price of options granted to employees (i.e., reprice
the options), which increases the fair value of those options.
24. The enterprise should recognise, as a minimum, the services received measured at the grant date
fair value of the shares or stock options granted, unless those shares or stock options do not vest

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Accounting Pronouncements

because of failure to satisfy a vesting condition (other than a market condition) that was specified at
grant date. This applies irrespective of (a) any modifications to the terms and conditions on which the
shares or stock options were granted, or (b) a cancellation or settlement of that grant of shares or stock
options. In addition, the enterprise should recognise the effects of modifications that increase the total
fair value of the employee share-based payment plan or are otherwise beneficial to the employee.
25. The requirements of paragraph 24 should be applied as follows:
(a)

(b)

(c)

If the modification increases the fair value of the shares or stock options granted (e.g., by
reducing the exercise price), measured immediately before and after the modification, the
enterprise should include the incremental fair value granted in the measurement of the amount
recognised for services received as consideration for the shares or stock options granted. The
incremental fair value granted is the difference between the fair value of the modified shares or
stock options and that of the original shares or stock options, both estimated as at the date of the
modification. If the modification occurs during the vesting period, the incremental fair value
granted is included in the measurement of the amount recognised for services received over the
period from the modification date until the date when the modified shares or stock options vest, in
addition to the amount based on the grant date fair value of the original shares or stock options,
which is recognized over the remainder of the original vesting period. If the modification occurs
after the vesting date, the incremental fair value granted is recognised immediately, or over the
vesting period if the employee is required to complete an additional period of service before
becoming unconditionally entitled to those modified shares or stock options.
Similarly, if the modification increases the number of shares or stock options granted, the
enterprise should include the fair value of the additional shares or stock options granted,
measured at the date of the modification, in the measurement of the amount recognised for
services received as consideration for the shares or stock options granted, consistent with the
requirements in (a) above. For example,
if the modification occurs during the vesting period, the fair value of the additional shares or stock
options granted is included in the measurement of the amount recognised for services received
over the period from the modification date until the date when the additional shares or stock
options vest, in addition to the amount based on the grant date fair value of the shares or stock
options originally granted, which is recognised over the remainder of the original vesting period.
If the enterprise modifies the vesting conditions in a manner that is beneficial to the employee, for
example, by reducing the vesting period or by modifying or eliminating a performance condition
(other than a market condition, changes to which are accounted for in accordance with (a)
above), the enterprise should take the modified vesting conditions into account when applying the
requirements of paragraphs 18 to 20.

26. Furthermore, to apply the requirements of paragraph 24, if the enterprise modifies the terms or
conditions of the shares or stock options granted in a manner that reduces the total fair value of the
employee share-based payment plan, or is not otherwise beneficial to the employee, the enterprise
should nevertheless continue to account for the services received as consideration for the shares or
stock options granted as if that modification had not occurred (other than a cancellation of some or all
the shares or stock options granted, which should be accounted for in accordance with paragraph 27).
For example:
(a)

if the modification reduces the fair value of the shares or stock options granted, measured
immediately before and after the modification, the enterprise should not take into account that
decrease in fair value and should continue to measure the amount recognised for services
received as consideration for the shares or stock options based on the grant date fair value of the

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-51

shares or stock options granted.


(b)

if the modification reduces the number of shares or stock options granted to an employee, that
reduction should be accounted for as a cancellation of that portion of the grant, in accordance
with the requirements of paragraph 27.

(c)

if the enterprise modifies the vesting conditions in a manner that is not beneficial to the employee,
for example, by increasing the vesting period or by modifying or adding a performance condition
(other than a market condition, changes to which are accounted for in accordance with (a)
above), the enterprise should not take the modified vesting conditions into account when applying
the requirements of paragraphs 18 to 20.

27. If the enterprise cancels or settles a grant of shares or stock options during the vesting period
(other than a grant cancelled by forfeiture when the vesting conditions are not satisfied):
(a)

the enterprise should account for the cancellation or settlement as an acceleration of vesting, and
should therefore recognize immediately the amount that otherwise would have been recognised
for services received over the remaining vesting period.

(b)

any payment made to the employee on the cancellation or settlement of the grant should be deducted
from the relevant equity account (e.g., Stock Options Outstanding Account) except to the extent that
the payment exceeds the fair value of the shares or stock options granted, measured at the
cancellation/settlement date. Any such excess should be recognised as an expense.

(c)

if new shares or stock options are granted to the employee as replacement for the cancelled
shares or stock options, the enterprise should account for the granting of replacement shares or
stock options in the same way as a modification of the original grant of shares or stock options, in
accordance with paragraphs 24 to 26. For the purposes of the aforesaid paragraphs, the
incremental fair value granted is the difference between the fair value of the replacement shares
or stock options and the net fair value of the cancelled shares or stock options, at the date the
replacement shares or stock options are granted. The net fair value of the cancelled shares or
stock options is their fair value, immediately before the cancellation, less the amount of any
payment made to the employee on cancellation of the shares or stock options that is deducted
from the relevant equity account in accordance with (b) above.

28. If an enterprise settles in cash vested shares or stock options, the payment made to the
employee should be accounted for as a deduction from the relevant equity account (e.g., Stock Options
Outstanding Account) except to the extent that the payment exceeds the fair value of the shares or
stock options, measured at the settlement date. Any such excess should be recognised as an expense.
Appendix III contains illustrations on modifications to the terms and conditions on which stock options
were granted.

Cash-Settled Employee Share-Based Payment Plans


29. An enterprise might grant rights such as stock appreciation rights to employees as part of their
remuneration package, whereby the employees will become entitled to a future cash payment (rather
than shares), based on the increase in the share price of the enterprise from a specified level over a
specified period of time. Or an enterprise might grant to its employees a right to receive a future cash
payment by granting to them a right to shares (including shares to be issued upon the exercise of stock
options) that are redeemable, either mandatorily (e.g., upon cessation of employment) or at the option
of the employee.

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Accounting Pronouncements

Recognition
30. An enterprise should recognise as an expense (except where service received qualifies to be
included as a part of the cost of an asset) the services received in a cash-settled employee sharebased payment plan when it receives the services with a corresponding increase in liability by creating
a provision therefor.
31. The enterprise should recognise the services received, and the liability to pay for those services,
as the employees render service. For example, some stock appreciation rights vest immediately, and
the employees are therefore not required to complete a specified period of service to become entitled
to the cash payment. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, the enterprise should presume that
the services rendered by the employees in exchange for the stock appreciation rights have been
received. Thus, the enterprise should recognise immediately the services received and a liability to pay
for them. If the stock appreciation rights do not vest until the employees have completed a specified
period of service, the enterprise should recognise the services received, and a liability to pay for them,
as the employees render service during that period.
Measurement
32. For cash-settled employee share-based payment plan, the enterprise should measure the
services received and the liability incurred at the fair value of the liability. Until the liability is settled, the
enterprise should remeasure the fair value of the liability at each reporting date and at the date of the
settlement, with any changes in fair value recognised in profit or loss for the period.
33. The liability should be measured, initially and at each reporting date until settled, at the fair value
of the stock appreciation rights, by applying an option pricing model taking into account the terms and
conditions on which the stock appreciation rights were granted, and the extent to which the employees
have rendered service to date.
Appendix IV contains an illustration of a cash-settled employee share based payment plan.

Employee Share-Based Payment Plans With Cash


Alternatives
Employee share-based payment plans in which the terms of the arrangement provide the
employee with a choice of settlement
34. If an enterprise has granted the employees the right to choose whether a share-based payment
plan is settled in cash or by issuing shares, the plan has two components, viz., (i) liability component,
i.e., the employees right to demand settlement in cash, and (ii) equity component, i.e., the employees
right to demand settlement in shares rather than in cash. The enterprise should first measure, on the
grant date, fair value of the employee share-based payment plan presuming that all employees will
exercise their option in favour of cash settlement. The fair value so arrived at should be considered as
the fair value of the liability component. The enterprise should also measure the fair value of the
employee share-based payment plan presuming that all employees will exercise their option in favour
of equity settlement. In case the fair value under equity- settlement is greater than the fair value under
cash settlement, the excess should be considered as the fair value of the equity component. Otherwise,
the fair value of the equity component should be considered as zero. The fair value of the equity
component should be accounted for in accordance with the recommendations in respect of Equitysettled employee share-based payment plan. The fair value of the liability component should be
accounted for in accordance with the recommendations in respect of Cash-settled employee sharebased payment plan.

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-53

35. At the date of settlement, the enterprise should remeasure the liability to its fair value. If the
enterprise issues shares on settlement rather than paying cash, the amount of liability should be
treated as the consideration for the shares issued.
36. If the enterprise pays in cash on settlement rather than issuing shares, that payment should be
applied to settle the liability in full. By electing to receive cash on settlement, the employees forgo their
right to receive shares. The enterprise should transfer any balance in the relevant equity account (e.g.,
Stock Options Outstanding Account) to general reserve.
Appendix V contains an illustration of an employee share-based payment plan with cash alternatives.
Employee share-based payment plans in which the terms of the arrangement provide the
enterprise with a choice of settlement
37. For an employee share-based payment plan in which the terms of the arrangement provide the
enterprise with the choice of whether to settle in cash or by issuing shares, the enterprise should
determine whether it has a present obligation to settle in cash and account for the sharebased payment
plan accordingly. The enterprise has a present obligation to settle in cash if the choice of settlement in
shares has no commercial substance (e.g., because the enterprise is legally prohibited from issuing
shares), or the enterprise has a past practice or a stated policy of settling in cash, or generally settles
in cash whenever the employee asks for cash settlement.
38. If the enterprise has a present obligation to settle in cash, it should account for the transaction in
accordance with the requirements in respect of Cash-settled employee share-based payment plan.
39. If no such obligation exists, the enterprise should account for the transaction in accordance with
the requirements in respect of Equitysettled employee share-based payment plan. Upon settlement:
(a)

If the enterprise elects to settle in cash, the cash payment should be accounted for as a
deduction from the relevant equity account (e.g., Stock Options Outstanding Account) except as
noted in (c) below.

(b)

If the enterprise elects to settle by issuing shares, the balance in the relevant equity account
should be treated as consideration for the shares issued except as noted in (c) below.

(c)

If the enterprise elects the settlement alternative with the higher fair value (e.g., the enterprise
elects to settle in cash the amount of which is more than the fair value of the shares had the
enterprise elected to settle in shares), as at the date of settlement, the enterprise should
recognise an additional expense for the excess value given, i.e., the difference between the cash
paid and the fair value of the shares that would otherwise have been issued, or the difference
between the fair value of the shares issued and the amount of cash that would otherwise have
been paid, whichever is applicable.

Intrinsic Value Method


40. Accounting for employee share-based payment plans dealt with heretobefore is based on the fair
value method. There is another method known as the Intrinsic Value Method for valuation of employee
sharebased payment plans. Intrinsic value, in the case of a listed company, is the amount by which the
quoted market price of the underlying share exceeds the exercise price of an option. For example, an
option with an exercise price of ` 100 on an equity share whose current quoted market price is ` 125,
has an intrinsic value of ` 25 per share on the date of its valuation. If the quoted market price is not
available on the grant date then the share price nearest to that date is taken. In the case of a nonlisted
company, since the shares are not quoted on a stock exchange, value of its shares is determined on
the basis of a valuation report from an independent valuer. For accounting for employee share-based
payment plans, the intrinsic value may be used, mutatis mutandis, in place of the fair value as

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Accounting Pronouncements

described in paragraphs 10 to 39.


Examples of equity-settled employee share-based payment plan and cashsettled employee sharebased payment plan, using intrinsic value method, are given in Illustration 1 of Appendix II and the
Illustration in Appendix IV, respectively.
Recommendation
41. It is recommended that accounting for employee share-based payment plans should be based on
the fair value approach as described in paragraphs 10 to 39. However, intrinsic value method as
described in paragraph 40 is also permitted.
Graded Vesting
42. In case the options/shares granted under an employee stock option plan do not vest on one date
but have graded vesting schedule, total plan should be segregated into different groups, depending
upon the vesting dates. Each of such groups would be having different vesting period and expected life
and, therefore, each vesting date should be considered as a separate option grant and evaluated and
accounted for accordingly. For example, suppose an employee is granted 100 options which will vest
@ 25 options per year at the end of the third, fourth, fifth and sixth years. In such a case, each tranche
of 25 options would be evaluated and accounted for separately.
An illustration of an employee share-based payment plan having graded vesting is given in Appendix
VI.
Employee Share-Based Payment Plan Administered Through A Trust
43. An enterprise may administer an employee share-based payment plan through a trust constituted
for this purpose. The trust may have different kinds of arrangements, for example, the following:
(a)
(b)
(c)

The enterprise allots shares to the trust as and when the employees exercise stock options.
The enterprise provides finance to the trust for subscription to the shares issued by the enterprise
at the beginning of the plan.
The enterprise provides finance to the trust to purchase shares from the market at the beginning
of the plan.

44. Since the trust administers the plan on behalf of the enterprise, it is recommended that
irrespective of the arrangement for issuance of the shares under the employee share-based payment
plan, the enterprise should recognise in its separate financial statements the expense on account of
services received from the employees in accordance with the recommendations contained in this
Guidance Note. Various aspects of accounting for employee share-based payment plan administered
through a trust under the arrangements mentioned above, are illustrated in Appendix VII, for the
purpose of preparation of separate financial statements.
45. For the purpose of preparation of consolidated financial statements as per Accounting Standard
(AS) 21, Consolidated Financial Statements, issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India,
the trust created for the purpose of administering employee share-based compensation, should not be
considered. This is because the standard requires consolidation of only those controlled enterprises
which provide economic benefits to the enterprise and, accordingly, consolidation of entities, such as,
gratuity trust, provident fund trust, etc., is not required. The nature of a trust established for
administering employee share-based compensation plan is similar to that of a gratuity trust or a
provident fund trust as it does not provide any economic benefit to the enterprise in the form of, say,
any return on investment.

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-55

Earnings Per Share Implications


46. For the purpose of calculating Basic Earnings Per Share as per Accounting Standard (AS) 20,
Earnings Per Share, shares or stock options granted pursuant to an employee share-based payment
plan, including shares or options issued to an ESOP trust, should not be included in the shares
outstanding till the employees have exercised their right to obtain shares or stock options, after fulfilling
the requisite vesting conditions. Till such time, shares or stock options so granted should be considered
as dilutive potential equity shares for the purpose of calculating Diluted Earnings Per Share. Diluted
Earnings Per Share should be based on the actual number of shares or stock options granted and not
yet forfeited, unless doing so would be anti-dilutive.
47. For computations required under paragraph 35 of AS 20 with regard to shares or stock options
granted pursuant to an employee share-based payment plan, the assumed proceeds from the issues
should include the exercise price and the unamortised compensation cost which is attributable to future
services.
An example to illustrate computation of Earnings Per Share in a situation where the enterprise has
granted stock options to its employees is given in Appendix VIII.
Disclosures
48. An enterprise should describe the method used to account for the employee share-based
payment plans. Where an enterprise uses the intrinsic value method, it should also disclose the impact
on the net results and EPS both basic and diluted for the accounting period, had the fair value
method been used.
49. An enterprise should disclose information that enables users of the financial statements to
understand the nature and extent of employee share-based payment plans that existed during the
period.
50. To give effect to the principle in paragraph 49, the enterprise should disclose at least the
following:
(a)

a description of each type of employee share-based payment plan that existed at any time during
the period, including the general terms and conditions of each plan, such as vesting
requirements, the maximum term of options granted, and the method of settlement (e.g., whether
in cash or equity). An enterprise with substantially similar types of plans may aggregate this
information, unless separate disclosure of each arrangement is necessary to satisfy the principle
in paragraph 49.

(b)

the number and weighted average exercise prices of stock options for each of the following
groups of options:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii)

(c)

outstanding at the beginning of the period;


granted during the period;
forfeited during the period;
exercised during the period;
expired during the period;
outstanding at the end of the period; and
exercisable at the end of the period.

for stock options exercised during the period, the weighted average share price at the date of
exercise. If options were exercised on a regular basis throughout the period, the enterprise may
instead disclose the weighted average share price during the period.

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III-56
(d)

Accounting Pronouncements
for stock options outstanding at the end of the period, the range of exercise prices and weighted
average remaining contractual life (comprising the vesting period and the exercise period). If the
range of exercise prices is wide, the outstanding options should be divided into ranges that are
meaningful for assessing the number and timing of additional shares that may be issued and the
cash that may be received upon exercise of those options.

51. An enterprise should disclose the following information to enable users of the financial statements
to understand how the fair value of shares or stock options granted, during the period, was determined:
(a)

for stock options granted during the period, the weighted average fair value of those options at
the grant date and information on how that fair value was measured, including:
(i)

the option pricing model used and the inputs to that model, including the weighted average
share price, exercise price, expected volatility, option life (comprising the vesting period and
the exercise period), expected dividends, the risk-free interest rate and any other inputs to
the model, including the method used and the assumptions made to incorporate the effects
of expected early exercise;

(ii)

how expected volatility was determined, including an explanation of the extent to which
expected volatility was based on historical volatility; and

(iii) whether and how any other features of the option grant were incorporated into the
measurement of fair value, such as a market condition.
(b)

for other instruments granted during the period (i.e., other than stock options), the number and
weighted average fair value of those instruments at the grant date, and information on how that
fair value was measured, including:
(i)

if fair value was not measured on the basis of an observable market price, how it was
determined;

(ii)

whether and how expected dividends were incorporated into the measurement of fair value;
and

(iii) whether and how any other features of the instruments granted were incorporated into the
measurement of fair value.
(c)

for employee share-based payment plans that were modified during the period:
(i)

an explanation of those modifications;

(ii)

the incremental fair value granted (as a result of those modifications); and

(iii) information on how the incremental fair value granted was measured, consistently with the
requirements set out in (a) and (b) above, where applicable.
52. An enterprise should disclose the following information to enable users of the financial
statements to understand the effect of employee share-based payment plans on the profit or loss of the
enterprise for the period and on its financial position:
(a)

the total expense recognised for the period arising from employee share-based payment plans in
which the services received did not qualify for recognition as a part of the cost of an asset and
hence were recognised immediately as an expense, including separate disclosure of that portion
of the total expense that arises from transactions accounted for as equity-settled employee sharebased payment plans;

(b)

for liabilities arising from employee share-based payment plans:


(i)

the total carrying amount at the end of the period; and

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Part III: Guidance Notes


(ii)

III-57

the total intrinsic value at the end of the period of liabilities for which the right of the
employee to cash or other assets had vested by the end of the period (e.g., vested stock
appreciation rights).

Appendix IX contains illustrative disclosures.


Effective Date
53. This Guidance Note applies to employee share-based payment plans the grant date in respect of
which falls on or after April 1, 2005.

Appendix I
Estimating the Fair Value of Shares or Stock Options Granted
1. The appendix discusses measurement of the fair value of shares and stock options granted,
focusing on the specific terms and conditions that are common features of a grant of shares or stock
options to employees. Therefore, it is not exhaustive.
Shares
2. The fair value of the shares granted should be measured at the market price of the shares of the
enterprise (or an estimated value based on the valuation report of an independent valuer, if the shares
of the enterprise are not publicly traded), adjusted to take into account the terms and conditions upon
which the shares were granted (except for vesting conditions that are excluded from the measurement
of fair value in accordance with paragraphs 18 to 20 of the text of the Guidance Note).
3. For example, if the employee is not entitled to receive dividends during the vesting period, this
factor should be taken into account when estimating the fair value of the shares granted. Similarly, if
the shares are subject to restrictions on transfer after vesting date, that factor should be taken into
account, but only to the extent that the post-vesting restrictions affect the price that a knowledgeable,
willing market participant would pay for that share. For example, if the shares are actively traded in a
deep and liquid market, post-vesting transfer restrictions may have little, if any, effect on the price that
a knowledgeable, willing market participant would pay for those shares. Restrictions on transfer or
other restrictions that exist during the vesting period should not be taken into account when estimating
the grant date fair value of the shares granted, because those restrictions stem from the existence of
vesting conditions, which are accounted for in accordance with paragraphs 18 to 20 of the text of the
Guidance Note.
Stock Options
4. For stock options granted to employees, in many cases market prices are not available, because
the options granted are subject to terms and conditions that do not apply to traded options. If traded
options with similar terms and conditions do not exist, the fair value of the options granted should be
estimated by applying an option pricing model.
5. The enterprise should consider factors that knowledgeable, willing market participants would
consider in selecting the option pricing model to apply. For example, many employee options have long
lives, are usually exercisable during the period between vesting date and the end of the life of the
option, and are often exercised early. These factors should be considered when estimating the grant
date fair value of the options. For many enterprises, this might preclude the use of the Black-ScholesMerton formula, which does not allow for the possibility of exercise before the end of the options life
(comprising the vesting period and the exercise period) and may not adequately reflect the effects of
expected early exercise. It also does not allow for the possibility that expected volatility and other
model inputs might vary over the options life. However, for stock options with relatively short

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Accounting Pronouncements

contractual lives (comprising the vesting period and the exercise period), or that must be exercised
within a short period of time after vesting date, the factors identified above may not apply. In these
instances, the Black-Scholes-Merton formula may produce a value that is substantially the same as a
more flexible option pricing model.
6.

All option pricing models take into account, as a minimum, the following factors:

(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)

the exercise price of the option;


the life of the option;
the current price of the underlying shares;
the expected volatility of the share price;
the dividends expected on the shares (if appropriate); and
the risk-free interest rate for the life of the option.

7. Other factors that knowledgeable, willing market participants would consider in setting the price
should also be taken into account (except for vesting conditions and reload features that are excluded
from the measurement of fair value in accordance with paragraphs 18 to 21 of the text of the Guidance
Note).
8. For example, a stock option granted to an employee typically cannot be exercised during
specified periods (e.g., during the vesting period or during periods specified, if any, by securities
regulators). This factor should be taken into account if the option pricing model applied would otherwise
assume that the option could be exercised at any time during its life. However, if an enterprise uses an
option pricing model that values options that can be exercised only at the end of the options life, no
adjustment is required for the inability to exercise them during the vesting period (or other periods
during the options life), because the model assumes that the options cannot be exercised during those
periods.
9. Similarly, another factor common to employee stock options is the possibility of early exercise of
the option, for example, because the option is not freely transferable, or because the employee must
exercise all vested options upon cessation of employment. The effects of expected early exercise
should be taken into account, as discussed in paragraphs 16 to 21 of this Appendix.
10. Factors that a knowledgeable, willing market participant would not consider in setting the price of
a stock option should not be taken into account when estimating the fair value of stock options granted.
For example, for stock options granted to employees, factors that affect the value of the option from the
perspective of the individual employee only are not relevant to estimating the price that would be set by
a knowledgeable, willing market participant.
Inputs to option pricing models
11. In estimating the expected volatility of and dividends on the underlying shares, the objective is to
approximate the expectations that would be reflected in a current market or negotiated exchange price
for the option. Similarly, when estimating the effects of early exercise of employee stock options, the
objective is to approximate the expectations that an outside party with access to detailed information
about employees exercise behaviour would develop based on information available at the grant date.
12. Often, there is likely to be a range of reasonable expectations about future volatility, dividends
and exercise behaviour. If so, an expected value should be calculated, by weighting each amount
within the range by its associated probability of occurrence.
13. Expectations about the future are generally based on experience, modified if the future is
reasonably expected to differ from the past. In some circumstances, identifiable factors may indicate
that unadjusted historical experience is a relatively poor predictor of future experience. For example, if

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III-59

an enterprise with two distinctly different lines of business disposes of the one that was significantly
less risky than the other, historical volatility may not be the best information on which to base
reasonable expectations for the future.
14. In other circumstances, historical information may not be available. For example, a newly listed
enterprise will have little, if any, historical data on the volatility of its share price. Unlisted and newly
listed enterprises are discussed further below.
15. In summary, an enterprise should not simply base estimates of volatility, exercise behaviour and
dividends on historical information without considering the extent to which the past experience is
expected to be reasonably predictive of future experience.
Expected early exercise
16. Employees often exercise stock options early, for a variety of reasons. For example, employee
stock options are typically nontransferable. This often causes employees to exercise their stock options
early, because that is the only way for the employees to liquidate their position. Also, employees who
cease employment are usually required to exercise any vested options within a short period of time,
otherwise the stock options are forfeited. This factor also causes the early exercise of employee stock
options. Other factors causing early exercise are risk aversion and lack of wealth diversification.
17. The means by which the effects of expected early exercise are taken into account depends upon
the type of option pricing model applied. For example, expected early exercise could be taken into
account by using an estimate of the expected life of the option (which, for an employee stock option, is
the period of time from grant date to the date on which the option is expected to be exercised) as an
input into an option pricing model (e.g., the Black-Scholes-Merton formula). Alternatively, expected
early exercise could be modelled in a binomial or similar option pricing model that uses contractual life
as an input.
18.

Factors to consider in estimating early exercise include:

(a)

the length of the vesting period, because the stock option typically cannot be exercised until the
end of the vesting period. Hence, determining the valuation implications of expected early
exercise is based on the assumption that the options will vest. The implications of vesting
conditions are discussed in paragraphs 18 to 20 of the text of the Guidance Note.
the average length of time similar options have remained outstanding in the past.
the price of the underlying shares. Experience may indicate that the employees tend to exercise
options when the share price reaches a specified level above the exercise price.
the employees level within the organisation. For example, experience might indicate that higherlevel employees tend to exercise options later than lower-level employees (discussed further in
paragraph 21 of this Appendix).
expected volatility of the underlying shares. On average, employees might tend to exercise
options on highly volatile shares earlier than on shares with low volatility.

(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

19. As noted in paragraph 17 of this Appendix, the effects of early exercise could be taken into
account by using an estimate of the options expected life as an input into an option pricing model.
When estimating the expected life of stock options granted to a group of employees, the enterprise
could base that estimate on an appropriately weighted average expected life for the entire employee
group or on appropriately weighted average lives for subgroups of employees within the group, based
on more detailed data about employees exercise behaviour (discussed further below).
20. Separating an option grant into groups for employees with relatively homogeneous exercise
behaviour is likely to be important. Option value is not a linear function of option term; value increases
at a decreasing rate as the term lengthens. For example, if all other assumptions are equal, although a

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Accounting Pronouncements

two-year option is worth more than a one-year option, it is not worth twice as much. That means that
calculating estimated option value on the basis of a single weighted average life that includes widely
differing individual lives would overstate the total fair value of the stock options granted. Separating
options granted into several groups, each of which has a relatively narrow range of lives included in its
weighted average life, reduces that overstatement.
21. Similar considerations apply when using a binomial or similar model. For example, the experience
of an enterprise that grants options broadly to all levels of employees might indicate that top-level
executives tend to hold their options longer than middle-management employees hold theirs and that
lower-level employees tend to exercise their options earlier than any other group. In addition,
employees who are encouraged required to hold a minimum amount of their employers shares or stock
options, might on average exercise options later than employees not subject to that provision. In those
situations, separating options by groups of recipients with relatively homogeneous exercise behaviour
will result in a more accurate estimate of the total fair value of the stock options granted.
Expected volatility
22. Expected volatility is a measure of the amount by which a price is expected to fluctuate during a
period. The measure of volatility used in option pricing models is the annualised standard deviation of
the continuously compounded rates of return on the share over a period of time. Volatility is typically
expressed in annualised terms that are comparable regardless of the time period used in the
calculation, for example, daily, weekly or monthly price observations.
23. The rate of return (which may be positive or negative) on a share for a period measures how
much a shareholder has benefited from dividends and appreciation (or depreciation) of the share price.
24 The expected annualised volatility of a share is the range within which the continuously
compounded annual rate of return is expected to fall approximately two-thirds of the time. For example,
to say that a share with an expected continuously compounded rate of return of 12 per cent has a
volatility of 30 per cent means that the probability that the rate of return on the share for one year will
be between 18 per cent (12% 30%) and 42 per cent (12% + 30%) is approximately two-thirds. If the
share price is `.100 at the beginning of the year and no dividends are paid, the year-end share price
would be expected to be between ` 83.53 (`.100 e0.18) and `.152.20 (` 100 e0.42)
approximately two-thirds of the time.
25. Factors to be considered in estimating expected volatility include:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

(e)

Implied volatility from traded stock options on the shares of the enterprise, or other traded
instruments of the enterprise that include option features (such as convertible debt), if any.
The historical volatility of the share price over the most recent period that is generally
commensurate with the expected term of the option (taking into account the remaining contractual
life of the option and the effects of expected early exercise).
The length of time shares of an enterprise have been publicly traded. A newly listed enterprise
might have a high historical volatility, compared with similar enterprises that have been listed
longer. Further guidance for newly listed enterprises is given in paragraph 26 of this Appendix.
The tendency of volatility to revert to its mean, i.e., its long-term average level, and other factors
indicating that expected future volatility might differ from past volatility. For example, if share price
of an enterprise was extraordinarily volatile for some identifiable period of time because of a
failed takeover bid or a major restructuring, that period could be disregarded in computing
historical average annual volatility.
Appropriate and regular intervals for price observations. The price observations should be
consistent from period to period.

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-61

For example, an enterprise might use the closing price for each week or the highest price for the week,
but it should not use the closing price for some weeks and the highest price for other weeks.
Newly listed enterprises
26. As noted in paragraph 25 of this Appendix, an enterprise should consider historical volatility of the
share price over the most recent period that is generally commensurate with the expected option term.
If a newly listed enterprise does not have sufficient information on historical volatility, it should
nevertheless compute historical volatility for the longest period for which trading activity is available. It
could also consider the historical volatility of similar enterprises following a comparable period in their
lives. For example, an enterprise that has been listed for only one year and grants options with an
average expected life of five years might consider the pattern and level of historical volatility of
enterprises in the same industry for the first six years in which the shares of those enterprises were
publicly traded.
Unlisted enterprises
27. An unlisted enterprise will not have historical information upon which to base an estimate of
expected volatility. It will therefore have to estimate expected volatility by some other means. The
enterprise could consider the historical volatility of similar listed enterprises, for which share price or
option price information is available, to use as the basis for an estimate of expected volatility.
Alternatively, volatility of unlisted enterprises can be taken as zero.
Expected dividends
28. Whether expected dividends should be taken into account when measuring the fair value of
shares or stock options granted depends on whether the employees are entitled to dividends or
dividend equivalents. For example, if employees were granted options and are entitled to dividends on
the underlying shares or dividend equivalents (which might be paid in cash or applied to reduce the
exercise price) between grant date and exercise date, the options granted should be valued as if no
dividends will be paid on the underlying shares, i.e., the input for expected dividends should be zero.
Similarly, when the grant date fair value of shares granted to employees is estimated, no adjustment is
required for expected dividends if the employees are entitled to receive dividends paid during the
vesting period.
29. Conversely, if the employees are not entitled to dividends or dividend equivalents during the
vesting period (or before exercise, in the case of an option), the grant date valuation of the rights to
shares or options should take expected dividends into account. That is to say, when the fair value of an
option grant is estimated, expected dividends should be included in the application of an option pricing
model. When the fair value of a share grant is estimated, that valuation should be reduced by the
present value of dividends expected to be paid during the vesting period.
30. Option pricing models generally call for expected dividend yield. However, the models may be
modified to use an expected dividend amount rather than a yield. An enterprise may use either its
expected yield or its expected payments. If the enterprise uses the latter, it should consider its
historical pattern of increases in dividends. For example, if policy of an enterprise has generally been to
increase dividends by approximately 3 per cent per year, its estimated option value should not assume
a fixed dividend amount throughout the options life unless there is evidence that supports that
assumption.
31. Generally, the assumption about expected dividends should be based on publicly available
information. An enterprise that does not pay dividends and has no plans to do so should assume an

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Accounting Pronouncements

expected dividend yield of zero. However, an emerging enterprise with no history of paying dividends
might expect to begin paying dividends during the expected lives of its employee stock options. Those
enterprises could use an average of their past dividend yield (zero) and the mean dividend yield of an
appropriately comparable peer group.
Risk-free interest rate
32. Typically, the risk-free interest rate is the implied yield currently available on zero-coupon
government issues, with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the option being valued (based
on the options remaining contractual life and taking into account the effects of expected early
exercise). It may be necessary to use an appropriate substitute, if no such government issues exist or
circumstances indicate that the implied yield on zero-coupon government issues is not representative
of the risk free interest rate. Also, an appropriate substitute should be used if market participants would
typically determine the risk-free interest rate by using that substitute, rather than the implied yield of
zero-coupon government issues, when estimating the fair value of an option with a life equal to the
expected term of the option being valued.
Capital structure effects
33. Typically, third parties, not the enterprise, write traded stock options. When these stock options
are exercised, the writer delivers shares to the option holder. Those shares are acquired from existing
shareholders. Hence the exercise of traded stock options has no dilutive effect.
34. In contrast, if stock options are written by the enterprise, new shares are issued when those stock
options are exercised. Given that the shares will be issued at the exercise price rather than the current
market price at the date of exercise, this actual or potential dilution might reduce the share price, so
that the option holder does not make as large a gain on exercise as on exercising an otherwise similar
traded option that does not dilute the share price.
35. Whether this has a significant effect on the value of the stock options granted depends on various
factors, such as the number of new shares that will be issued on exercise of the options compared with
the number of shares already issued. Also, if the market already expects that the option grant will take
place, the market may have already factored the potential dilution into the share price at the date of
grant.
36. However, the enterprise should consider whether the possible dilutive effect of the future exercise
of the stock options granted might have an impact on their estimated fair value at grant date. Option
pricing models can be adapted to take into account this potential dilutive effect.

Appendix II
Equity-Settled Employee
Share-based Payment Plans
Illustration 1 : Stock Options With Service
Condition Only
(A) Accounting during the vesting period
At the beginning of year 1, an enterprise grants 300 options to each of its 1,000 employees. The
contractual life (comprising the vesting period and the exercise period) of options granted is 6 years.
The other relevant terms of the grant are as below:

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes


Vesting Period
Exercise Period
Expected Life
Exercise Price
Market Price
Expected forfeitures per year

III-63

3 years
3 years
5 years
` 50
` 50
3%

The fair value of options, calculated using an option pricing model, is ` 15 per option. Actual
forfeitures, during the year 1, are 5 per cent and at the end of year 1, the enterprise still expects that
actual forfeitures would average 3 per cent per year over the 3-year vesting period. During the year 2,
however, the management decides that the rate of forfeitures is likely to continue to increase, and the
expected forfeiture rate for the entire award is changed to 6 per cent per year. It is also assumed that
840 employees have actually completed 3 years vesting period.
Suggested Accounting Treatment
Year 1
1. At the grant date, the enterprise estimates the fair value of the options expected to vest at the
end of the vesting period as below:
No. of options expected to vest
= 300 x 1,000 x 0.97 x 0.97 x 0.97 = 2,73,802 options
Fair value of options expected to vest
= 2,73,802 options x ` 15 = ` 41,07,030
2. At the balance sheet date, since the enterprise still expects actual forfeitures to average 3 per
cent per year over the 3-year vesting period, no change is required in the estimates made at the grant
date. The enterprise, therefore, recognises one-third of the amount estimated at (1) above (i.e.,
` 41,07,030/3) towards the employee services received by passing the following entry:
Employee compensation expense A/c
To Stock Options Outstanding A/c

Dr.

` 13,69,010
` 13,69,010

(Being compensation expense recognised in respect of the ESOP)


3. Credit balance in the Stock Options Outstanding A/c may be disclosed in the balance sheet
under a separate heading, between Share Capital and Reserves and Surplus.
Year 2
1. At the end of the financial year, management has changed its estimate of expected forfeiture rate
from 3 per cent to 6 per cent per year. The revised number of options expected to vest is 2,49,175
(3,00,000 x .94 x .94 x .94). Accordingly, the fair value of revised options expected to vest is `
37,37,625 (2,49,175 x ` 15). Consequent to the change in the expected forfeitures, the expense to be
recognised during the year are determined as below:
Revised total fair value
Revised cumulative expense at the end of
year 2= (` 37,37,625 x 2/3)
Expense already recognised in year 1
Expense to be recognised in year 2

` 37,37,625
=` 24,91,750
=` 13,69,010
=` 11,22,740

2. The enterprise recognises the amount determined at (1) above (i.e., ` 11,22,740) towards the
employee services received by passing the following entry:

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Accounting Pronouncements

Employee compensation expense A/c


To Stock Options Outstanding A/c

Dr.

` 11,22,740
` 11,22,740

(Being compensation expense recognised in respect of the ESOP)


3. Credit balance in the Stock Options Outstanding A/c may be disclosed in the balance sheet
under a separate heading, between Share Capital and Reserves and Surplus.
Year 3
1. At the end of the financial year, the enterprise would examine its actual forfeitures and make
necessary adjustments, if any, to reflect expense for the number of options that actually vested.
Considering that 840 employees have completed three years vesting period, the expense to be
recognised during the year is determined as below:
No. of options actually vested = 840 x 300
Fair value of options actually vested
(` 2,52,000 x ` 15)
Expense already recognised
Expense to be recognised in year 3

= 2,52,000
= ` 37,80,000
` 24,91,750
` 12,88,250

2. The enterprise recognises the amount determined at (1) above towards the employee services
received by passing the following entry:
Employee compensation expense A/c
To Stock Options Outstanding A/c

Dr.

` 12,88,250
` 12,88,250

(Being compensation expense recognised in respect of ESOP)


3. Credit balance in the Stock Options Outstanding A/c may be disclosed in the balance sheet
under a separate heading, between Share Capital and Reserves and Surplus.
(B) Accounting at the time of exercise/expiry of the vested options
Continuing Illustration 1(A) above, the following further facts are provided:
(a)
(b)
(c)

200 employees exercise their right to obtain shares vested in them in pursuance of the ESOP at
the end of year 5 and 600 employees exercise their right at the end of year 6.
Rights of 40 employees expire unexercised at the end of the contractual life of the option, i.e., at
the end of year 6.
Face value of one share of the enterprise is ` 10.

Suggested Accounting Treatment


1. On exercise of the right to obtain shares, the enterprise issues shares to the respective
employees on receipt of the exercise price. The shares so issued are considered to have been issued
on a consideration comprising the exercise price and the corresponding amount standing to the credit
of the Stock Options Outstanding Account. In the present case, the exercise price is ` 50 per share
and the amount of compensation expense recognised in the Stock Options Outstanding A/c is ` 15
per option. The enterprise, therefore, considers the shares to be issued at a price of ` 65 per share.
2. The amount to be recorded in the Share Capital A/c and the Securities Premium A/c, upon
issuance of the shares, is calculated as below:
Particulars
No. of employees exercising option
No. of shares issued on exercise @ 300per employee

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Exercise Date Exercise Date


Year-end 5
Year-end 6
200
600
1,80,000
60,000

Part III: Guidance Notes

III-65

Exercise Price received @ ` 50 per share


30,00,0000
1,80,000
Corresponding amount recognised in the
Stock Options Outstanding A/c
27,00,000
@ ` 15 per option
9,00,000
Total Consideration
39,00,000
1,17,00,000
Amount to be recorded in Share
18,00,000
Capital A/c @ ` 10 per share
6,00,000
Amount to be recorded in Securities
99,00,000
Premium A/c @ ` 55 per share
33,00,000
Total
39,00,000
1,17,00,000
3. The enterprise passes the following entries at end of year 5 and year 6, respectively, to record
the shares issued to the employees upon exercise of options vested in them in pursuance of the
Employee Stock Option Plan:
Year 5

Year 6

Bank A/c
Stock Options Outstanding A/c
To Share Capital A/c
To Securities Premium A/c

Dr.
Dr.

` 30,00,000
` 9,00,000
` 6,00,000
` 33,00,000

(Being shares issued to the employees against the options vested


in them in pursuance of the Employee Stock Option Plan)
Bank A/c
Dr.
` 90,00,000
Stock Options Outstanding A/c
Dr.
` 27,00,000
To Share Capital A/c
To Securities Premium A/c
(Being shares issued to the employees against the options vested
in them in pursuance of the Employee Stock Option Plan)

` 18,00,000
` 99,00,000

4. At the end of year 6, the balance of ` 1,80,000 (i.e., 40 employees x 300 options x ` 15 per
option) standing to the credit of the Stock Options Outstanding Account, in respect of vested options
expiring unexercised, is transferred to general reserve by passing the following entry:
Stock Options Outstanding A/c
To General Reserve

Dr.

` 1,80,000
` 1,80,000

(Being the balance standing to the credit of the Stock Options


Outstanding Account, in respect of vested options expired unexercised, transferred to the general
reserve)
(C) Intrinsic Value Method
The accounting treatment suggested in Illustrations 1(A) and 1(B) above is based on the fair value
method. In case the enterprise follows the intrinsic value method instead of the fair value method, it
would not recognise any compensation expense since the market price of the underlying share at the
grant date is the same as the exercise price and the intrinsic value of the options is nil. However, in
case the market price of the underlying share at the grant date is more than the exercise price, say, `
52 per share, then the difference of ` 2 between the market value and the exercise price would be the
intrinsic value of the option. In such a case, the enterprise would treat the said intrinsic value as
compensation expense over the vesting period on the lines of Illustrations 1(A) and 1(B) above.

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Accounting Pronouncements

Illustration 2: Grant With A Performance Condition, In Which The Length Of The Vesting
Period Varies
At the beginning of year 1, the enterprise grants 100 stock options to each of its 500 employees,
conditional upon the employees remaining in the employment of the enterprise during the vesting
period. The options will vest at the end of year 1 if the earnings of the enterprise increase by more than
18 per cent; at the end of year 2 if the earnings of the enterprise increase by more than an average of
13 per cent per year over the twoyear period; and at the end of year 3 if the earnings of the enterprise
increase by more than an average of 10 per cent per year over the three year period. The fair value of
the options, calculated at the grant date using an option pricing model, is ` 30 per option. No dividends
are expected to be paid over the three-year period.
By the end of year 1, the earnings of the enterprise have increased by 14 per cent, and 30 employees
have left. The enterprise expects that earnings will continue to increase at a similar rate in year 2, and,
therefore, expects that the options will vest at the end of year 2. The enterprise expects, on the basis of
a weighted average probability, that a further 30 employees will leave during year 2, and, therefore,
expects that options will vest in 440 employees at the end of year 2.
By the end of year 2, the earnings of the enterprise have increased by only 10 per cent and, therefore,
the options do not vest at the end of year 2. 28 employees have left during the year. The enterprise
expects that a further 25 employees will leave during year 3, and that the earnings of the enterprise will
increase by at least 6 per cent, thereby achieving the average of 10 per cent per year.
By the end of year 3, 23 employees have left and the earnings of the enterprise have increased by 8
per cent, resulting in an average increase of 10.67 per cent per year. Therefore, 419 employees
received 100 shares each at the end of year 3.
Suggested Accounting Treatment
1. In the given case, the length of the vesting period varies, depending on when the performance
condition is satisfied. In such a situation, as per paragraph 14 of the text of the Guidance Note, the
enterprise estimates the length of the expected vesting period, based on the most likely outcome of the
performance condition, and revises that estimate, if necessary, if subsequent information indicates that
the length of the vesting period is likely to differ from previous estimates.
2.

The enterprise determines the compensation expense to be recognised each year as below:

Particulars
Length of the expected vesting period (at the end of
the year)
No. of employees expected to meet vesting conditions
No. of options expected to vest
Fair value of options expected to vest @ ` 30 per
option (`)
Compensation expense accrued till the end of year (`)

Year 1
2 years
440
employees
44,000
13,20,000

Year 2
3 years

417
419
employees employees
41,700
41,900
12,51,000 12,57,000

6,60,000
8,34,000
[13,20,000/2] (12,51,000 * 2/3)
Compensation expense recognised till the end of
Nil
6,60,000
previous year (`)
Compensation expense to be recognized for the
6,60,000
1,74,000
year (`)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Year 3
3 years

12,57,000
8,34,000
4,23,000

Part III: Guidance Notes

III-67

Illustration 3 : Grant With A Performance Condition, in Which the Number of Stock Options
Varies
At the beginning of year 1, an enterprise grants stock options to each of its 100 employees working in
the sales department. The stock options will vest at the end of year 3, provided that the employees
remain in the employment of the enterprise, and provided that the volume of sales of a particular
product increases by at least an average of 5 per cent per year. If the volume of sales of the product
increases by an average of between 5 per cent and 10 per cent per year, each employee will receive
100 stock options. If the volume of sales increases by an average of between 10 per cent and 15 per
cent each year, each employee will receive 200 stock options. If the volume of sales increases by an
average of 15 per cent or more, each employee will receive 300 stock options.
On the grant date, the enterprise estimates that the stock options have a fair value of ` 20 per option.
The enterprise also estimates that the volume of sales of the product will increase by an average of
between 10 per cent and 15 per cent per year, and therefore expects that, for each employee who
remains in service until the end of year 3, 200 stock options will vest. The enterprise also estimates, on
the basis of a weighted average probability, 20 per cent of employees will leave before the end of year
3.
By the end of year 1, seven employees have left and the enterprise still expects that a total of 20
employees will leave by the end of year 3. Hence, the enterprise expects that 80 employees will remain
in service for the three-year period. Product sales have increased by 12 per cent and the enterprise
expects this rate of increase to continue over the next 2 years.
By the end of year 2, a further five employees have left, bringing the total to 12 to date. The enterprise
now expects that only three more employees will leave during year 3, and therefore expects that a total
of 15 employees will have left during the three-year period, and hence 85 employees are expected to
remain. Product sales have increased by 18 per cent, resulting in an average of 15 per cent over the
two years to date. The enterprise now expects that sales increase will average 15 per cent or more
over the three-year period, and hence expects each sales employee to receive 300 stock options at the
end of year 3.
By the end of year 3, a further two employees have left. Hence, 14 employees have left during the
three-year period, and 86 employees remain. The sales of the enterprise have increased by an average
of 16 per cent over the three years. Therefore, each of the 86 employees receives 300 stock options.
Suggested Accounting Treatment
Since the number of options varies depending on the outcome of a performance condition that is not a
market condition, the effect of that condition (i.e., the possibility that the number of stock options might
be 100, 200 or 300) is not taken into account when estimating the fair value of the stock options at
grant date. Instead, the enterprise revises the transaction amount to reflect the outcome of that
performance condition, as illustrated below.
Year Calculation

Compensatio
n expense for
period (`)

Cumulative
compensation
expense (`)

1.

80 employees 200 options ` 20 1/3

1,06,667

1,06,667

2.

(85 employees 300 options ` 20 2/3) ` 1,06,667

2,33,333

3,40,000

3.

(86 employees 300 options ` 20 3/3) ` 3,40,000

1,76,000

5,16,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

III-68

Accounting Pronouncements

Illustration 4: Grant With A Performance Condition, In Which The Exercise Price Varies
At the beginning of year 1, an enterprise grants 10,000 stock options to a senior executive, conditional
upon the executive remaining in the employment of the enterprise until the end of year 3. The exercise
price is ` 40. However, the exercise price drops to ` 30 if the earnings of the enterprise increase by at
least an average of 10 per cent per year over the three-year period.
On the grant date, the enterprise estimates that the fair value of the stock options, with an exercise
price of ` 30, is ` 16 per option. If the exercise price is ` 40, the enterprise estimates that the stock
options have a fair value of ` 12 per option. During year 1, the earnings of the enterprise increased by
12 per cent, and the enterprise expects that earnings will continue to increase at this rate over the next
two years. The enterprise, therefore, expects that the earnings target will be achieved, and hence the
stock options will have an exercise price of ` 30. During year 2, the earnings of the enterprise
increased by 13 per cent, and the enterprise continues to expect that the earnings target will be
achieved.
During year 3, the earnings of the enterprise increased by only 3 per cent, and therefore the earnings
target was not achieved. The executive completes three years service, and therefore satisfies the
service condition. Because the earnings target was not achieved, the 10,000 vested stock options have
an exercise price of ` 40.
Suggested Accounting Treatment
Because the exercise price varies depending on the outcome of a performance condition that is not a
market condition, the effect of that performance condition (i.e. the possibility that the exercise price
might be ` 40 and the possibility that the exercise price might be ` 30) is not taken into account when
estimating the fair value of the stock options at the grant date. Instead, the enterprise estimates the fair
value of the stock options at the grant date under each scenario (i.e. exercise price of ` 40 and
exercise price of ` 30) and ultimately revises the transaction amount to reflect the outcome of that
performance condition, as illustrated below:
Year

Calculation

Compensation
expense for
period (`.)

Cumulative
compensation
expense (`.)

10,000 options ` 16 1/3

53,333

53,333

2.

(10,000 options ` 16 2/3) ` 53,333

53,334

1,06,667

3.

(10,000 options ` 12 3/3) ` 1,06,667

13,333 1,

20,000

Illustration 5: Grant With A Market Condition


At the beginning of year 1, an enterprise grants 10,000 stock options to a senior executive, conditional
upon the executive remaining in the employment of the enterprise until the end of year 3. However, the
stock options cannot be exercised unless the share price has increased from `.50 at the beginning of
year 1 to above ` 65 at the end of year 3. If the share price is above ` 65 at the end of year 3, the
stock options can be exercised at any time during the next seven years, i.e. by the end of year 10.
The enterprise applies a binomial option pricing model, which takes into account the possibility that the
share price will exceed ` 65 at the end of year 3 (and hence the stock options become exercisable)
and the possibility that the share price will not exceed ` 65 at the end of year 3 (and hence the options
will not become exercisable). It estimates the fair value of the stock options with this market condition
to be ` 24 per option.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes

III-69

Suggested Accounting Treatment


Because paragraph 20 of the text of the Guidance Note requires the enterprise to recognise the
services received from an employee who satisfies all other vesting conditions (e.g., services received
from an employee who remains in service for the specified service period), irrespective of whether that
market condition is satisfied, it makes no difference whether the share price target is achieved. The
possibility that the share price target might not be achieved has already been taken into account when
estimating the fair value of the stock options at the grant date. Therefore, if the enterprise expects the
executive to complete the three-year service period, and the executive does so, the enterprise
recognises the following amounts in years 1, 2 and 3:
Year

Calculation

1.

Compensation
expense for
period (`)

Cumulative
compensation
expense (`)

10,000 options ` 24 1/3

80,000

80,000

2.

(10,000 options ` 24 2/3) ` 80,000

80,000

1,60,000

3.

(10,000 options ` 24) ` 1,60,000

80,000

2,40,000

As noted above, these amounts are recognised irrespective of the outcome of the market condition.
However, if the executive left during year 2 (or year 3), the amount recognised during year 1 (and year
2) would be reversed in year 2 (or year 3). This is because the service condition, in contrast to the
market condition, was not taken into account when estimating the fair value of the stock options at
grant date. Instead, the service condition is taken into account by adjusting the transaction amount to
be based on the number of shares or stock options that ultimately vest, in accordance with paragraphs
18 and 19 of the text of the Guidance Note.
Illustration 6: Grant with A Market Condition, in Which the Length of the Vesting Period Varies
At the beginning of year 1, an enterprise grants 10,000 stock options with a ten-year life to each of ten
senior executives. The stock options will vest and become exercisable immediately if and when the
share price of the enterprise increases from ` 50 to ` 70, provided that the executive remains in
service until the share price target is achieved.
The enterprise applies a binomial option pricing model, which takes into account the possibility that the
share price target will be achieved during the ten-year life of the options, and the possibility that the
target will not be achieved. The enterprise estimates that the fair value of the stock options at grant
date is ` 25 per option. From the option pricing model, the enterprise determines that the mode of the
distribution of possible vesting dates is five years. In other words, of all the possible outcomes, the
most likely outcome of the market condition is that the share price target will be achieved at the end of
year 5. Therefore, the enterprise estimates that the expected vesting period is five years. The
enterprise also estimates that two executives will have left by the end of year 5, and therefore expects
that 80,000 stock options (10,000 stock options x 8 executives) will vest at the end of year 5.
Throughout years 1-4, the enterprise continues to estimate that a total of two executives will leave by
the end of year 5. However, in total three executives leave, one in each of years 3, 4 and 5. The share
price target is achieved at the end of year 6. Another executive leaves during year 6, before the share
price target is achieved.
Suggested Accounting Treatment
Paragraph 14 of the text of the Guidance Note requires the enterprise to recognise the services
received over the expected vesting period, as estimated at grant date, and also requires the enterprise

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

III-70

Accounting Pronouncements

not to revise that estimate. Therefore, the enterprise recognises the services received from the
executives over years 1 to 5. Hence, the transaction amount is ultimately based on 70,000 stock
options (10,000 stock options 7 executives who remain in service at the end of year 5). Although
another executive left during year 6, no adjustment is made, because the executive had already
completed the expected vesting period of 5 years. Therefore, the enterprise recognises the following
amounts in years 1-5:
Year

Calculation

Compensation
expense for
period (`)

Cumulative
compensation
expense (`)

80,000 options ` 25 1/5

4,00,000

4,00,000

2.

(80,000 options ` 25 2/5) ` 4,00,000

4,00,000

8,00,000

3.

(80,000 options ` 25 3/5) ` 8,00,000

4,00,000

12,00,000

4.

4 (80,000 options ` 25 4/5) ` 12,00,000

4,00,000

16,00,000

5.

(70,000 options ` 25) ` 16,00,000

1,50,000

17,50,000

Illustration 7: Employee Share Purchase Plan


An enterprise offers all its 1,000 employees the opportunity to participate in an employee stock
purchase plan. The employees have two weeks to decide whether to accept the offer. Under the terms
of the plan, the employees are entitled to purchase a maximum of 100 shares each. The purchase price
will be 20 per cent less than the market price of the shares of the enterprise at the date the offer is
accepted, and the purchase price must be paid immediately upon acceptance of the offer. All shares
purchased must be held in trust for the employees, and cannot be sold for five years. The employee is
not permitted to withdraw from the plan during that period. For example, if the employee ceases
employment during the five-year period, the shares must nevertheless remain in the plan until the end
of the five-year period. Any dividends paid during the five-year period will be held in trust for the
employees until the end of the five-year period.
In total, 800 employees accept the offer and each employee purchases, on average, 80 shares, i.e., the
employees purchase a total of 64,000 shares. The weighted-average market price of the shares at the
purchase date is ` 30 per share, and the weighted-average purchase price is `.24 per shares.
Suggested Accounting Treatment
Paragraph 15 of the text of the Guidance Note provides that the enterprise should measure the fair
value of the employee services received by reference to the fair value of the shares or stock options
granted. To apply this requirement, it is necessary first to determine the type of instrument granted to
the employees. Although the plan is described as an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), some
ESPPs include option features and are therefore, in effect, stock option plans. For example, an ESPP
might include a lookback feature, whereby the employee is able to purchase shares at a discount, and
choose whether the discount is applied to the share price of the enterprise at the date of grant or its
share price at the date of purchase. Or an ESPP might specify the purchase price, and then allow the
employees a significant period of time to decide whether to participate in the plan. Another example of
an option feature is an ESPP that permits the participating employees to cancel their participation
before or at the end of a specified period and obtain a refund of amounts previously paid into the plan.
However, in this example, the plan includes no option features. The discount is applied to the share
price at the purchase date, and the employees are not permitted to withdraw from the plan.
Another factor to consider is the effect of post-vesting transfer restrictions, if any. Paragraph 3 of the

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-71

Appendix I to the Guidance Note states that, if shares are subject to restrictions on transfer after
vesting date, that factor should be taken into account when estimating the fair value of those shares,
but only to the extent that the post-vesting restrictions affect the price that a knowledgeable, willing
market participant would pay for that share. For example, if the shares are actively traded in a deep
and liquid market, post-vesting transfer restrictions may have little, if any, effect on the price that a
knowledgeable, willing market participant would pay for those shares.In this example, the shares are
vested when purchased, but cannot be sold for five years after the date of purchase. Therefore, the
enterprise should consider the valuation effect of the five-year post-vesting transfer restriction. This
entails using a valuation technique to estimate what the price of the restricted share would have been
on the purchase date in an arms length transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties. Suppose
that, in this example, the enterprise estimates that the fair value of each restricted share is ` 28. In this
case, the fair value of the instruments granted is ` 4 per share (being the fair value of the restricted
share of ` 28 less the purchase price of ` 24). Because 64,000 shares were purchased, the total fair
value of the instruments granted is ` 2,56,000.
In this example, there is no vesting period. Therefore, in accordance with paragraph 11 of the text of
the Guidance Note, the enterprise should recognise an expense of ` 2,56,000 immediately.

Appendix III
Modifications to the Term and Conditions of Equity-Settled Employee Sharebased Payment Plans
Illustration 1: Grant of Stock Options that are Subsequently Repriced
At the beginning of year 1, an enterprise grants 100 stock options to each of its 500 employees. The
grant is conditional upon the employee remaining in service over the next three years. The enterprise
estimates that the fair value of each option is ` 15. On the basis of a weighted average probability, the
enterprise estimates that 100 employees will leave during the three-year period and therefore forfeit
their rights to the stock options.
Suppose that 40 employees leave during year 1. Also suppose that by the end of year 1, the share
price of the enterprise has dropped, and the enterprise reprices its stock options, and that the repriced
stock options vest at the end of year 3. The enterprise estimates that a further 70 employees will leave
during years 2 and 3, and hence the total expected employee departures over the three-year vesting
period is 110 employees. During year 2, a further 35 employees leave, and the enterprise estimates
that a further 30 employees will leave during year 3, to bring the total expected employee departures
over the three-year vesting period to 105 employees. During year 3, a total of 28 employees leave, and
hence a total of 103 employees ceased employment during the vesting period. For the remaining 397
employees, the stock options vested at the end of year 3.
The enterprise estimates that, at the date of repricing, the fair value of each of the original stock
options granted (i.e., before taking into account the repricing) is ` 5 and that the fair value of each
repriced stock option is ` 8.
Suggested Accounting Treatment
Paragraph 24 of the text of the Guidance Note requires the enterprise to recognise the effects of
modifications that increase the total fair value of the employee share-based payment plans or are
otherwise beneficial to the employee. If the modification increases the fair value of the shares or stock
options granted (e.g., by reducing the exercise price), measured immediately before and after the
modification, paragraph 25(a) of the text of this Guidance Note requires the enterprise to include the
incremental fair value granted (i.e., the difference between the fair value of the modified instrument and

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

III-72

Accounting Pronouncements

that of the original instrument, both estimated as at the date of the modification) in the measurement of
the amount recognised for services received as consideration for the instruments granted. If the
modification occurs during the vesting period, the incremental fair value granted is included in the
measurement of the amount recognised for services received over the period from the modification
date until the date when the modified instruments vest, in addition to the amount based on the grant
date fair value of the original instruments, which is recognised over the remainder of the original
vesting period.
The incremental value is ` 3 per stock option (` 8 ` 5). This amount is recognised over the remaining two
years of the vesting period, along with remuneration expense based on the original option value of ` 15.
The amounts recognised towards employees services received in years 1-3 are as follows:
Year

Calculation

Compensation
expnse for
period (`)

Cumulative
compensation
expense (`)

(500 110) employees 100 options ` 15 1/3

1,95,000

1,95,000

2.

(500 105) employees 100 options (` 15 2/3 +


` 3 1/2) ` 1,95,000

2,59,250

4,54,250

3.

(500 103) employees 100 options (` 15 + ` 3) `


4,54,250

2,60,350

7,14,600

Illustration 2: Grant of Stock Options with A Vesting Condition that is Subsequently Modified
At the beginning of year 1, the enterprise grants 1,000 stock options to each member of its sales team,
conditional upon the employees remaining in the employment of the enterprise for three years, and the
team selling more than 50,000 units of a particular product over the three-year period. The fair value of
the stock options is ` 15 per option at the date of grant.
During year 2, the enterprise increases the sales target to 1,00,000 units. By the end of year 3, the
enterprise has sold 55,000 units, and the stock options do not vest. Twelve members of the sales team
have remained in service for the three-year period.
Suggested Accounting Treatment
Paragraph 19 of the text of the Guidance Note requires, for a performance condition that is not a
market condition, the enterprise to recognise the services received during the vesting period based on
the best available estimate of the number of shares or stock options expected to vest and to revise that
estimate, if necessary, if subsequent information indicates that the number of shares or stock options
expected to vest differs from previous estimates. On vesting date, the enterprise revises the estimate to
equal the number of instruments that ultimately vested. However, paragraph 24 of the text of the
Guidance Note requires, irrespective of any modifications to the terms and conditions on which the
instruments were granted, or a cancellation or settlement of that grant of instruments, the enterprise to
recognise, as a minimum, the services received, measured at the grant date fair value of the
instruments granted, unless those instruments do not vest because of failure to satisfy a vesting
condition (other than a market condition) that was specified at grant date. Furthermore, paragraph 26(c)
of the text of this Guidance Note specifies that, if the enterprise modifies the vesting conditions in a
manner that is not beneficial to the employee, the enterprise does not take the modified vesting
conditions into account when applying the requirements of paragraphs 18 to 20 of the text of the
Guidance Note.
Therefore, because the modification to the performance condition made it less likely that the stock
options will vest, which was not beneficial to the employee, the enterprise takes no account of the

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes

III-73

modified performance condition when recognising the services received. Instead, it continues to
recognise the services received over the three-year period based on the original vesting conditions.
Hence, the enterprise ultimately recognizes cumulative remuneration expense of ` 1,80,000 over the
three-year period (12 employees 1,000 options ` 15).
The same result would have occurred if, instead of modifying the performance target, the enterprise
had increased the number of years of service required for the stock options to vest from three years to
ten years. Because such a modification would make it less likely that the options will vest, which would
not be beneficial to the employees, the enterprise would take no account of the modified service
condition when recognising the services received. Instead, it would recognise the services received
from the twelve employees who remained in service over the original three-year vesting period.

Appendix IV
Cash-Settled Employee Share-based Payment Plans
Continuing, Illustration 1(A) of Appendix II, suppose the enterprise has granted stock appreciation
rights (SARs) to its employees, instead of the options whereby the enterprise pays cash to the
employees equal to the intrinsic value of the SARs as on the exercise date. The SARs are granted on
the condition that the employees remain in its employment for the next three years. The contractual life
[comprising the vesting period (3 years) and the exercise period (2 years)] of SARs is 5 years.
The other facts of the Illustration are the same as those in Illustration 1(A) of Appendix II. However, it is
also assumed that at the end of year 3, 400 employees exercise their SARs, another 300 employees
exercise their SARs at the end of year 4 and the remaining 140 employees exercise their SARs at the
end of year 5.
The enterprise estimates the fair value of the SARs at the end of each year in which a liability exists
and the intrinsic value of the SARs at the end of years 3, 4 and 5. The values estimated by the
enterprise are as below:
Year
1
2
3
4
5
Suggested Accounting Treatment
1.

Fair Value
` 15.30
` 16.50
` 19.20
` 21.30

Intrinsic Value

` 16.00
` 21.00
` 26.00

The expense to be recognised each year in respect of SARs are determined as below:

Year 1
No. of SARs expected to vest (as per the original estimate)
1,000 x 300 x 0.97 x 0.97 x 0.97

2,73,802 SARs

` 13,96,390

Provision required at the year-end


2,73,802 SARs x ` 15.30 x 1/3
Less: provision at the beginning of the year
Expense for the year

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Nil
` 13,96,390

III-74

Accounting Pronouncements

Year 2
No. of SARs expected to vest (as per the revised estimate)
1,000 x 300 x 0.94 x 0.94 x 0.94

2,49,175 SARs

` 27,40,925

Provision required at the year-end


2,49,175 SARs x ` 16.50 x 2/3
Less: provision at the beginning of the year

` (13,96,390)

Expense for the year

` 13,44,535

Year 3
No. of SARs actually vested
840 employees x 300 SARs

2,52,000 SARs

No. of SARs exercised at the year-end


400 employees x 300 SARs

1,20,000 SARs

No. of SARs outstanding at the year-end

1,32,000 SARs

Provision required in respect of SARs outstanding at the year-end


1,32,000 SARs x ` 19.20

` 25,34,400

` 19,20,000

Plus: Cash paid on exercise of SARs by employees


1,20,000 SARs x ` 16.00
Total

` 44,54,400

Less: provision at the beginning of the year

` (27,40,925)

Expense for the year

` 17,13,475

Year 4
No. of SARs outstanding at the beginning of the year

1,32,000 SARs

No. of SARs exercised at the year-end


300 employees x 300 SARs

90,000 SARs

No. of SARs outstanding at the year-end

42,000 SARs

Provision required in respect of SARs outstanding


at the year-end
42,000 SA` x ` 21.30

` 8,94,600

`.18,90,000

Plus: Cash paid on exercise of SARs


90,000 SARs x ` 21.00
Total
Less: provision at the beginning of the year
Expense for the year

` 27,84,600
` (25,34,400)
` 2,50,200

Year 5
No. of SARs outstanding at the beginning of the year

42,000 SARs

No. of SARs exercised at the year-end 140 employees x 300 SARs

42,000 SARs

No. of SARs outstanding at the year-end

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Nil

Part III: Guidance Notes


Provision required in respect of SARs outstanding at the year-end

III-75

Nil

Plus: Cash paid on exercise of SARs 42,000 SARs x ` 26.00 =

`.10,92,000

Total

` 10,92,000

Less: provision at the beginning of the year

` (8,94,600)

Expense for the year

` 1,97,400

2. The enterprise passes the following entry, in each of the years, to recognise the compensation
expense determined as above:
Employee compensation expense A/c
To Provision for payment of SARs A/c

Dr. _________
_________

(Being compensation expense recognised in respect of SARs)


3. The enterprise passes the following entry, in the years 3, 4 and 5, to record the cash paid on
exercise of SARs:
Provision for payment of SARs A/c
To Bank A/c

Dr. _________
_________

(Being cash paid on exercise of SARs)


4. Balance in the Provision for payment of SARs Account, outstanding at year-end, is disclosed in
the balance sheet, as a provision under the heading Current Liabilities and Provisions.
Intrinsic Value Method
The accounting treatment suggested above is based on the fair value method. In case the enterprise
has followed the intrinsic value method instead of the fair value method, it would make all the
computations suggested above on the basis of intrinsic value of SARs on the respective dates instead
of the fair value. To illustrate, suppose the intrinsic value of SARs at the grant date is ` 6 per right. The
intrinsic values of the SARs on the subsequent dates are as below:
Year

Intrinsic Value

` 9.00

` 12.00

` 16.00

` 21.00

` 26.00

In the above case, the enterprise would determine the expense to be recognised each year in respect
of SARs as below:
Year 1
No. of SARs expected to vest (as per the original estimate)
1,000 x 300 x 0.97 x 0.97 x 0.97

= 2,73,802 SARs

Provision required at the year-end


2,73,802 SARs x ` 9.00 x 1/3

= ` 8,21,406

Less: provision at the beginning of the year Nil


Expense for the year

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

` 8,21,406

III-76

Accounting Pronouncements

Year 2
No. of SARs expected to vest (as per the revised estimate)
1,000 x 300 x 0.94 x 0.94 x 0.94

= 2,49,175 SARs

Provision required at the year-end


2,49,175 SARs x ` 12.00 x 2/3

= ` 19,93,400

Less: provision at the beginning of the year

` (8,21,406)

Expense for the year

` 11,71,994

Year 3
No. of SARs actually vested
840 employees x 300 SARs

2,52,000 SARs

No. of SARs exercised at the year-end


400 employees x 300 SARs
No. of SARs outstanding at the year-end

1,20,000 SARs
1,32,000 SARs

Provision required in respect of SARs outstanding


at the year-end
1,32,000 SARs x ` 16.00

= ` 21,12,000

Plus: Cash paid on exercise of SARs by employees


1,20,000 SARs x ` 16.00
Total

= ` 19,20,000
` 40,32,000

Accounting for Employee Share-based Payments 337


Less: provision at the beginning of the year

` (19,93,400)

Expense for the year

` 20,38,600

Year 4
No. of SARs outstanding at the beginning of
the year

1,32,000 SA`

No. of SARs exercised at the year-end


300 employees x 300 SARs
No. of SARs outstanding at the year-end

90,000 SARs
42,000 SARs

Provision required in respect of SARs outstanding


at the year-end
42,000 SARs x ` 21.00

= ` 8,82,000

Plus: Cash paid on exercise of SARs


90,000 SARs x ` 21.00 =

` 18,90,000

Total

` 27,72,000

Less: provision at the beginning of the year

` (21,12,000)

Expense for the year

` 6,60,000

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes

III-77

Year 5
No. of SARs outstanding at the beginning of
the year

42,000 SARs

No. of SARs exercised at the year-end


140 employees x 300 SARs
No. of SARs outstanding at the year-end

42,000 SARs
Nil

Provision required in respect of SARs outstanding


at the year-end

Nil

Plus: Cash paid on exercise of SARs


42,000 SARs x ` 26.00 =

` 10,92,000

Total

` 10,92,000

Less: provision at the beginning of the year

` (8,82,000)

Expense for the year

` 2,10,000

Appendix V
Employee Share-based Payment Plan with Cash Alternatives
Illustration : An enterprise grants to an employee the right to choose either a cash payment equal to
the value of 1,000 shares, or 1,200 shares. The grant is conditional upon the completion of three years
service. If the employee chooses the equity alternative, the shares must be held for three years after
vesting date. The face value of shares is ` 10 per share.
At grant date, the fair value of the shares of the enterprise (without considering post-vesting
restrictions) is ` 50 per share. At the end of years 1, 2 and 3, the said fair value is ` 52, ` 55 and ` 60
per share respectively. The enterprise does not expect to pay dividends in the next three years. After
taking into account the effects of the post-vesting transfer restrictions, the enterprise estimates that the
grant date fair value of the equity alternative is ` 48 per share.
At the end of year 3, the employee chooses:
Scenario 1: The cash alternative
Scenario 2: The equity alternative
Suggested Accounting Treatment
1. The employee share-based payment plan granted by the enterprise has two components, viz., (i)
a liability component, i.e., the employees right to demand settlement in cash, and (ii) an equity
component, i.e., the employees right to demand settlement in shares rather than in cash. The
enterprise measures, on the grant date, the fair value of two components as below:
Fair value under equity settlement
1,200 shares x ` 48 =

` 57,600

Fair value under cash settlement


1,000 shares x ` 50 =

` 50,000

Fair value of the equity component


(` 57,600 ` 50,000) =

` 7,600

Fair value of the liability component

` 50,000

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Accounting Pronouncements

2. The enterprise calculates the expense to be recognised in respect of the liability component at
the end of each year as below:
Year 1
Provision required at the year-end
1,000 x ` 52.00 x 1/3 =

` 17,333

Less: provision at the beginning of the year

Nil

Expense for the year

` 17,333

Year 2
Provision required at the year-end
1,000 x ` 55.00 x 2/3 =

` 36,667

Less: provision at the beginning of the year

` 17,333

Expense for the year

` 19,334

Year 3
Provision required at the year-end
1,000 x ` 60.00 =
Less: provision at the beginning of the year

` 60,000
` 36,667

Expense for the year


` 23,333
3. The expense to be recognised in respect of the equity component at the end of each year is one
third of the fair value (` 7,600) determined at (1) above.
4. The enterprise passes the following entry at the end of each of the years to recognise
compensation expense towards liability component determined at (2) above:
Employee compensation expense A/c

Dr. _________

To Provision for liability component of employee share-based payment plan

__________

(Being compensation expense recognised in respect of liability component of employee share-based


payment plan with cash alternative)
5. The enterprise passes the following entry at the end of each of the year to recognise
compensation expense towards equity component determined at (3) above:
Employee compensation expense A/c
To Stock Options Outstanding A/c

Dr. _________
_________

(Being compensation expense recognised in respect of equity component of employee share-based


payment plan with cash alternative)
6. Provision for liability component of employee share-based payment plan, outstanding at year-end,
is disclosed in the balance sheet, as a provision under the heading Current Liabilities and Provisions.
Credit balance in the Stock Options Outstanding A/c is disclosed under a separate heading, between
Share Capital and Reserves and Surplus.
7. The enterprise passes the following entry on the settlement of the employee share-based
payment plan with cash alternative:

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes

III-79

Scenario 1: The cash alternative


Provision for liability component of employee share-based payment plan Dr.

` 60,000

To Bank A/c

` 60,000

(Being cash paid on exercise of cash alternative under the employee share-based payment plan)
Stock Options Outstanding A/c

Dr.

` 7,600

To General Reserve

` 7,600

(Being the balance standing to the credit of the Stock Options Outstanding Account transferred to the
general reserve upon exercise of cash alternative)
Scenario 2: The equity alternative
Stock Options Outstanding A/c

Dr.

Provision for liability component of employee share-based payment plan Dr.

` 7,600
` 60,000

To Share Capital A/c (1,000 shares x ` 10)

` 10,000

To Securities Premium A/c

` 57,600

(Being shares issued on exercise of equity alternative under the employee share-based payment plan)

Appendix VI
Graded Vesting
Continuing Illustration 1(A) of Appendix II, suppose that the options granted vest according to a graded
schedule of 25 per cent at the end of the year 1, 25 per cent at the end of the year 2, and the remaining
50 per cent at the end of the year 3. The expected lives of the options that vest at the end of the year 1,
2 and 3 are 2.5 years, 4 years and 5 years respectively. The fair values of these options, computed
based on their respective expected lives, are ` 10, ` 13 and ` 15 per option, respectively. It is also
assumed that expected forfeiture rate is 3% per year and does not change during the vesting period.
Suggested Accounting Treatment
1. Since the options granted have a graded vesting schedule, the enterprise segregates the total
plan into different groups, depending upon the vesting dates and treats each of these groups as a
separate plan.
2.

The enterprise determines the number of options expected to vest under each group as below:

Vesting Date (Year-end) Options expected to vest


1 300 options x 1,000 employees x 25% x 0.97 = 72,750 options
2 300 options x 1,000 employees x 25% x 0.97 x .97= 70,568 options
3 300 options x 1,000 employees x 50% x 0.97x .97 x .97 =1,36,901 options
Total options expected to vest 2,80,219 options
3.

Total compensation expense for the options expected to vest is determined as follows:
Vesting Date

Expected Vesting

Value per

Compensation

(No. of Options)

Option (`)

Expense (`)

72,750

10

7,27,500

70,568

13

9,17,384

(Year-end)

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Accounting Pronouncements
3

1,36,901

15

20,53,515

Total

36,98,399

4. Compensation expense, determined as above, is recognised over the respective vesting periods.
Thus, the compensation expense of ` 7,27,500 attributable to 72,750 options that vest at the end year
1, is allocated to the year 1. The expense of ` 9,17,384 attributable to the 70,568 options that vest at
the end of year 2 is allocated over their 2-year vesting period (year 1 and year 2). The expense of
` 20,53,515 attributable to the 1,36,901 options that vest at the end of year 3 is allocated over their 3year vesting period (year 1, year 2 and year 3). Total compensation expense of ` 36,98,399,
determined at the grant date, is attributed to the years 1, 2 and 3 as below:
Vesting Date
(End of year)
1
2
3
Cost for the year
Cumulative cost

Cost to be recognised
Year 1
Year 2
7,27,500
4,58,692
4,58,692
6,84,505
6,84,505
18,70,697
11,43,197
18,70,697
30,13,894

Year 3

6,84,505
6,84,505
36,98,399

Intrinsic Value Method


The accounting treatment suggested above is based on the fair value method. In case the enterprise
has followed the intrinsic value method instead of the fair value method, it would make computations
suggested above on the basis of intrinsic value of options at the grant date (which would be the same
for all groups) instead of the fair value. To illustrate, suppose the intrinsic value of the option at the
grant date is ` 6 per option. In such a case, total compensation expense for the options expected to
vest would be
Vesting Date

Expected Vesting

Value per

Compensation

(End of year)

(No. of Options)

Option (`)

Expense (`)

72,750

4,36,500

70,568

6 4,

23,408

1,36,901

8,21,406

Total

16,81,314

Total compensation expense of ` 16,81,314, determined at the grant date, would be attributed to the
years 1, 2 and 3 as below:
Vesting Date
(End of year)
1
2
3
Cost for the year
Cumulative cost

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Year 1
4,36,500
2,11,704
2,73,802
9,22,006
9,22,006

Cost to be recognised
Year 2
Year 3
2,11,704
2,73,802
4,85,506
14,07,512

2,73,802
2,73,802
16,81,314

Part III: Guidance Notes

III-81

Appendix VII
Accounting for Employee Share-based Payment Plans Administered Through a
Trust
Illustration 1: Enterprise Allots Shares To The Esop Trust As And When The Employees Exercise
Stock Options
At the beginning of year 1, an enterprise grants 300 stock options to each of its 1,000 employees,
conditional upon the employees remaining in the employment of the enterprise for one year. The fair
value of the stock options, at the date of grant, is ` 15 per option and the exercise price is ` 50 per
share. The options can be exercised in one year after the date of vesting. The other relevant terms of
the grant and assumptions are as below:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)

The grant is administered by an ESOP trust appointed by the enterprise. According to the terms
of appointment, the enterprise agrees to allot shares to the ESOP trust as and when the stock
options are exercised by the employees.
The number of employees expected to complete one year vesting period, at the beginning of the
plan, is 900, i.e., 100 employees are expected to leave during the vesting period and,
consequently, the options granted to them are expected to be forfeited.
Actual forfeitures, during the vesting period, are equal to the expected forfeitures and 900
employees have actually completed one year vesting period.
All 900 employees exercised their right to obtain shares vested in them in pursuance of the ESOP
at the end of year 2.
Apart from the shares allotted to the trust, the enterprise has 10,00,000 shares of ` 10 each
outstanding at the end of year 1. The said shares were issued at a premium of ` 15 per share.
The full amount of premium received on issue of shares is still standing to the credit of the
Securities Premium Account. The enterprise has not made any change in the share capital upto
the end of year 2, except that arising from transactions with the employees pursuant to the
Employee Stock Option Plan.

Suggested Accounting Treatment


The accounting treatment, in this case, would be the same as explained in the case where the
enterprise itself is administering the Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP) although the enterprise
issues shares to the ESOP Trust instead of issuing shares to the employees directly. The accounting
treatment in this case is explained hereinbelow.
Year 1
1. At the grant date, the enterprise estimates the fair value of the options expected to vest at the
end of the vesting period as below:
No. of options expected to vest
(1,000 100) employees x 300 options = 2,70,000 options
Fair value of options expected to vest
2,70,000 options x ` 15 = ` 40,50,000
2. At the end of the financial year, the enterprise examines its actual forfeitures and makes
necessary adjustments, if any, to reflect expense for the number of options that actually vested.
Considering that actual forfeitures, during the vesting period, are equal to the expected forfeitures and
900 employees have actually completed one year vesting period, the enterprise recognises the fair
value of options expected to vest (estimated at 1 above) towards the employee services received by

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Accounting Pronouncements

passing the following entry:


Employee compensation expense A/c Dr.

` 40,50,000

To Stock Options Outstanding A/c

` 40,50,000

(Being compensation expense recognised in respect of the ESOP)


3. Credit balance in the Stock Options Outstanding Account is disclosed in the balance sheet under
a separate heading, between Share Capital and Reserves and Surplus, as below:
Extracts from the Balance Sheet
Liabilities

Amount (`)

Share Capital
Paid-up Capital:
10,00,000 equity shares of ` 10 each
Stock Options Outstanding Account

1,00,00,000
40,50,000

Reserves and Surplus


Securities Premium A/c (10,00,000 shares x ` 15)

1,50,00,000

Year 2
1. On exercise of the right to obtain shares by the employees, the enterprise allots shares to the
ESOP Trust for issuance to the employees. The shares so issued are considered to have been issued
on a consideration comprising the exercise price and the fair value of the options. In the present case,
the exercise price is ` 50 per share and the fair value of the options is ` 15 per option. The enterprise,
therefore, considers the shares to be issued at a price of ` 65 per share.
2. The amount to be recorded in the Share Capital Account and the Securities Premium Account,
upon issuance of the shares, is calculated as below:
Particulars
No. of employees exercising option
No. of shares issued on exercise @ 300 per employee
Exercise Price @ ` 50 per share
Fair value of options @ ` 15 per option
Total Consideration

Computations
900
2,70,000
1,35,00,000
40,50,000
1,75,50,000

Amount to be recorded in Share Capital A/c


@ ` 10 per share

27,00,000

Amount to be recorded in Securities Premium A/c


@ ` 55 per share

1,48,50,000

Total

1,75,50,000

3. The ESOP Trust receives exercise price from the employees exercising the options vested in
them in pursuance of the Employee Stock Option Plan. The Trust passes on the exercise price so
received to the enterprise for issuance of shares to the employees. The enterprise allots shares to the
ESOP Trust for issuance to the employees exercising the options vested in them in pursuance of the
Employee Stock Option Plan. To recognise the transaction, the following entry is passed:

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes


Bank A/c Dr.
Stock Options Outstanding A/c

III-83

`.1,35,00,000
Dr.

` 40,50,000

To Share Capital A/c

` 27,00,000

To Securities Premium A/c

` 1,48,50,000

(Being shares allotted to the ESOP Trust for issuance to the employees against the options vested in
them in pursuance of the Employee Stock Option Plan)
4. The Share Capital Account and the Securities Premium Account are disclosed in the balance
sheet as below:
Extracts from the Balance Sheet
Liabilities

Amount (`.)

Share Capital
Paid-up Capital:
12,70,000 equity shares of ` 10 each fully paid

1,27,00,000

(Of the above, 2,70,000 shares of ` 10 each have been issued to the
employees pursuant to an Employee Share-based Payment Plan. The issue
price of the share was ` 65 per share out of which ` 15 per share were
received in the form of employee services over a period of one year).
Reserves and Surplus
Securities Premium A/c

2,98,50,000

Computation of Earnings Per Share


For the purpose of calculating Basic EPS, stock options granted pursuant to the employee share-based
payment plan would not be included in the shares outstanding till the employees have exercised their
right to obtain shares, after fulfilling the requisite vesting conditions. Till such time, stock options so
granted would be considered as dilutive potential equity shares for the purpose of calculating Diluted
EPS.
Illustration 2: Enterprise Provides Finance to the ESOP Trust for Subscription to Shares Issued
by the Enterprise at the Beginning of the Plan
Continuing Illustration 1 above, suppose the enterprise provides finance, at the grant date, to the ESOP
trust for subscription to the shares of the enterprise equivalent to the number of shares expected to
vest. With the help of finance provided by the enterprise, the trust subscribes to the shares offered by
the enterprise at a cash price of ` 50 per share, at the beginning of the plan. The Trust would issue
shares to the employees as and when they exercise the right vested in them in pursuance of the
Employee Stock Option Plan (ESOP). The other facts of the case are the same as in Illustration 1.
Suggested Accounting Treatment
The computations of employee compensation expense, amount to be recognised in the Share Capital
Account and the Securities Premium Account, etc., would be the same as that in Illustration 1 above.
Year 1
1. The enterprise passes the following entry to record provision of finance [` 1,35,00,000 (i.e.,
2,70,000 shares x ` 50)] to the ESOP trust:

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Accounting Pronouncements

Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust A/c

Dr.

` 1,35,00,000

To Bank A/c

` 1,35,00,000

(Being finance provided to the ESOP trust for subscription of shares)


2. The enterprise passes the following entry to record the allotment of 2,70,000 shares to the ESOP
Trust at ` 65 per share [comprising the exercise price (` 50) and the fair value of options (` 15)]:
Bank A/c

Dr.

` 1,35,00,000

Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust A/c

Dr.

` 40,50,000

To Share Capital A/c

` 27,00,000

To Securities Premium A/c

`1,48,50,000

(Being shares allotted to the ESOP Trust in respect of the Employee Stock Option Plan)
3.

The enterprise passes the following entry to recognise the employee services received during the year:

Employee compensation expense A/c

Dr.

` 40,50,000

To Stock Options Outstanding A/c

` 40,50,000

(Being compensation expense recognised in respect of the ESOP)


4. The Share Capital Account, the Securities Premium Account, credit balance in the Stock Options
Outstanding Account and debit balance in the Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust Account are
disclosed in the balance sheet as below:
Extracts from the Balance Sheet
Liabilities
Share Capital
Paid-up Capital:
12,70,000 equity shares of ` 10 each
Less: Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust
(face value of 2,70,000 share allotted to the Trust)
Stock Options Outstanding Account
Reserves and Surplus
Securities Premium Account
Less: Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust
(Premium on 2,70,000 share allotted to the Trust)

Amount (` )

1,27,00,000
27,00,000

1,00,00,000

40,50,000
2,98,50,000
1,48,50,000

1,50,00,000

5. Apart from other required disclosures, the enterprise gives a suitable note in the Notes to
Accounts to explain the transaction and the nature of deduction of the Amount recoverable from ESOP
Trust made from the Share Capital and the Securities Premium Account.
Year 2
1. On exercise of the right to obtain shares, the ESOP trust issues shares to the respective
employees after receiving the exercise price of ` 50 per share. The ESOP Trust passes on the
exercise price received on issue of shares to the enterprise. The enterprise passes the following entry
to record the receipt of the exercise price:
Bank A/c

Dr.
To Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust A/c

` 1,35,00,000
` 1,35,00,000

(Being amount received from the ESOP Trust against finance provided to it at the beginning of the
Employee Stock Option Plan)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes

III-85

2. The enterprise transfers the balance standing to the credit of the Stock Options Outstanding
Account to the Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust Account by passing the following entry:
Stock Options Outstanding A/c

Dr.

` 40,50,000

To Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust A/c

` 40,50,000

(Being consideration for shares issued to the employees received in the form of employee services
adjusted against the relevant account)
3. The Share Capital Account and the Securities Premium Account are disclosed in the balance
sheet as below:
Extracts from the Balance Sheet
Liabilities

Amount (`.)

Share Capital
Paid-up Capital:
12,70,000 equity shares of ` 10 each fully paid (Of the above, 2,70,000
shares of ` 10 each have been issued to the employees (through ESOP
Trust) pursuant to an Employee Share-based Payment Plan. The issue price
of the share was ` 65 per share out of which ` 15 per share were received in
the form of employee services over a period of one year).
Reserves and Surplus
Securities Premium Account

1,27,00,000

2,98,50,000

Computation of Earnings Per Share


For the purpose of calculating Basic EPS, shares allotted to the ESOP Trust pursuant to the employee
share-based payment plan would not be included in the shares outstanding till the employees have
exercised their right to obtain shares, after fulfilling the requisite vesting conditions. Till such time, the
shares so allotted would be considered as dilutive potential equity shares for the purpose of calculating
Diluted EPS.
Illustration 3: Enterprise Provides Finance To The Esop Trust To Purchase Shares From The
Market At The Beginning Of The Plan
Continuing Illustration 2 above, suppose the enterprise does not issue fresh shares to the ESOP Trust.
Instead, it provides finance, at the grant date, to the trust to purchase shares of the enterprise from the
market, equivalent to the number of shares expected to vest. With the help of finance provided by the
enterprise, the ESOP Trust purchases 2,70,000 shares from the market @ ` 52 per share at the
beginning of the plan. The other facts remain the same as in Illustration 2 above.
Suggested Accounting Treatment
Year 1
1. The enterprise passes the following entry to record provision of finance [` 1,40,40,000 (i.e.,
2,70,000 shares x ` 52)] to the ESOP trust:
Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust A/c
To Bank A/c

Dr.

` 1,40,40,000
` 1,40,40,000

(Being finance provided to the ESOP trust for purchase of shares in respect of the ESOP)
2. The enterprise passes the following entry at the end of the year to recognise the employee
services received during the year:

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

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Accounting Pronouncements

Employee compensation expense A/c

Dr.

` 40,50,000

To Stock Options Outstanding A/c

` 40,50,000

(Being compensation expense recognised in respect of the ESOP)


3. Credit balance in the Stock Options Outstanding Account is disclosed on the liability side of the
balance sheet under a separate heading, between Share Capital and Reserves and Surplus. Debit
balance in the Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust Account is disclosed on the asset side under a
separate heading, between the Investments and the Current Assets, Loans and Advances. On this
basis, the relevant extracts of the balance sheet appear as below:
Extracts from the Balance Sheet
Liabilities
Share Capital
Paid-up Capital:
10,00,000 equity shares of ` 10 each
Stock Options Outstanding Account
Reserves and Surplus
Securities Premium Account
Assets
Investments
Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust
Current Assets, Loans and Advances

Amount (`)

1,00,00,000
40,50,000
1,50,00,000
Amount (`)
1,40,40,000

4. Apart from the other required disclosures, the enterprise gives a suitable note in the Notes to
Accounts to explain the transaction and the nature of the Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust.
Year 2
1. On exercise of the right to obtain shares by the employees, the ESOP trust issues shares to the
respective employees after receiving the exercise price. The exercise price so received is passed on to
the enterprise.
The amount received, in this manner, is ` 1,35,00,000 (i.e., 900 employees x 300 options x ` 50).
The enterprise passes the following entry to record the receipt of the exercise price:
Bank A/c
To Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust A/c

Dr.

` 1,35,00,000
` 1,35,00,000

(Being amount received from the ESOP trust against the finance provided to it in respect of the
Employee Stock Option Plan)
2. The enterprise transfers an amount equivalent to the difference between the cost of shares to the
ESOP Trust and the exercise price from the Stock Options Outstanding Account to the Amount
recoverable from ESOP Trust Account. In the present case, there is a difference of ` 2 per share (i.e.,
` 52 ` 50) between the cost of shares and the exercise price. The number of shares issued to the
employees is 2,70,000. The enterprise, accordingly, transfers an amount of ` 5,40,000 from the Stock
Options Outstanding Account to the Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust Account by passing the
following entry:
Stock Options Outstanding A/c
Dr. ` 5,40,000
To Amount recoverable from ESOP Trust A/c
` 5,40,000
(Being the difference between the cost of shares to the ESOP Trust and the exercise price adjusted)

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes


3. The balance of ` 35,10,000 (i.e., ` 40,50,000 ` 5,40,000)
standing to the credit of the Stock Options Outstanding Account
Reserve by passing the following entry:
Stock Options Outstanding A/c
Dr.
To General Reserve
(Being balance in the Stock Options Outstanding Account transferred
end of the Employee Stock Option Plan)
4. The Share Capital Account, the Securities Premium Account
disclosed in the balance sheet as below:

III-87

is transferred to the General


` 35,10,000
` 35,10,000
to the General Reserve, at the
and the General Reserve are

Extracts from the Balance Sheet


Liabilities
Share Capital
Paid-up Capital:
10,00,000 equity shares of ` 10 each fully paid
Reserves and Surplus
Securities Premium Account
General Reserve
Add: Amount transferred from the Stock
Options Outstanding Account

Amount (`)
1,00,00,000
1,50,00,000
xx,xx,xxx
35,10,000

yy,yy,yyy

5. The enterprise gives a suitable note in the Notes to Accounts to explain the nature of the
addition of ` 35,10,000 made in the General Reserve.
Computation of Earnings Per Share
In this case, the enterprise does not issue any new shares either at the beginning of the Employee
Stock Option Plan or on exercise of stock options by the employees. Instead, the ESOP Trust
purchases the shares from the market at the beginning of the plan and the employees exercising
options vested in them are granted shares out of the shares so purchased. The shares purchased by
the Trust represent the shares that have already been issued by the enterprise and the same should
continue to be included in the shares outstanding for the purpose of calculating Basic EPS as would
have been done prior to the purchase of the shares by the Trust. Since the exercise of stock options
granted under the plan does not result into any fresh issue of shares, the stock options granted would
not be considered as dilutive potential equity shares for the purpose of calculating Diluted EPS.

Appendix VIII
Computation of Earnings Per Share
Illustration : At the beginning of year 1, an enterprise grants 300 stock options to each of its 1,000
employees, conditional upon the employees remaining in the employment of the enterprise for two
years. The fair value of the stock options, at the date of grant, is ` 10 per option and the exercise price
is ` 50 per share. The other relevant terms of the grant and assumptions are as below:
(a)

The number of employees expected to complete two years vesting period, at the beginning of the
plan, is 900. 50 employees are expected to leave during the each of the year 1 and year 2 and,
consequently, the options granted to them are expected to be forfeited.

(b)

Actual forfeitures, during the vesting period, are equal to the expected forfeitures and 900
employees have actually completed two-years vesting period.

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Accounting Pronouncements

(c)

The profit of the enterprise for the year 1 and year 2, before amortisation of compensation cost on
account of ESOPs, is ` 25,00,000 and ` 28,00,000 respectively.

(d)

The fair value of shares for these years was ` 57 and `.60 respectively.

(e)

The enterprise has 5,00,000 shares of ` 10 each outstanding at the end of year 1 and year 2.

Compute the Basic and Diluted EPS, ignoring tax impacts, for the year 1 and year 2.
Suggested Computations
(a)

The stock options granted to employees are not included in the shares outstanding till the
employees have exercised their right to obtain shares or stock options, after fulfilling the requisite
vesting conditions. Till such time, the stock options so granted are considered as dilutive potential
equity shares for the purpose of calculating Diluted EPS. At the end of each year, computations of
diluted EPS are based on the actual number of options granted and not yet forfeited.
(b) For calculating diluted EPS, no adjustment is made to the net profit attributable to equity
shareholders as there are no expense or income that would result from conversion of ESOPs to
the equity shares.
(c) For calculating diluted EPS, the enterprise assumes the exercise of dilutive options. The assumed
proceeds from these issues are considered to have been received from the issue of shares at fair
value. The difference between the number of shares issuable and the number of shares that
would have been issued at fair value are treated as an issue of equity shares for no consideration
(d) As per paragraph 47 of this Guidance Note, the assumed proceeds to be included for
computation, mentioned at (c) above, include (i) the exercise price; and (ii) the unamortized
compensation cost related to these ESOPs, attributable to future services.
(e) The enterprise calculates the basic and diluted EPS as below:
Particulars

Year 1

Year 2

` 25,00,000

` 28,00,000

(` 13,50,000)

(` 13,50,000)

` 11,50,000

` 14,50,000

5,00,000

5,00,000

` 2.30

` 2.90

2,85,000

2,70,000

` 5

` 0

Net profit before amortisation of ESOP


cost
Less: Amortisation of ESOP cost
[(900 employees 300 options ` 10)/2]
Net profit attributable to equity shareholders
Number of shares outstanding
Basic EPS
Number of options outstanding (Options
granted less actual forfeitures)
[1,000 employees [2,85,000 300
options options (50 employees (50 employees
300 options)] 300 options)]
Unamortised compensation cost per
option
Number of dilutive potential equity
shares [2,85,000 [2,70,000 ({(2,85,000 * 50)
(2,70,000 + (2,85,000 * 50)/60)]* 5)}/57)]

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

[` 10 ` 10/2]
10,000

45,000

Part III: Guidance Notes

III-89

No. of equity shares used to compute


diluted earnings per share

5,10,000

5,45,000

Diluted EPS

` 2.255

` 2.66

Appendix IX
Illustrative Disclosures
An example has been given in this appendix to illustrate the disclosure requirements in paragraphs 49
to 52 of the text of the Guidance Note. The students are advised to refer this appendix from the
compendium of Guidance Notes.

GN(A) 22 (Issued 2006)


Guidance Note on Accounting for Credit Available in respect of
Minimum Alternative Tax under the Income-tax Act, 1961
(The following is the text of the Guidance Note on Accounting for Credit Available in Respect of
Minimum Alternative Tax Under the Income-tax Act,1961, issued by the Council of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India.)

Introduction
1. The Finance Act, 1997, introduced section 115JAA in the Income-tax Act, 1961 (hereinafter
referred to as the Act) providing for tax credit in respect of MAT paid under section 115JA (hereinafter
referred to as MAT credit) which could be carried forward for set-off for five succeeding years in
accordance with the provisions of the Act. Section 115JA was inserted by the Finance Act, 1996, w.e.f.
1.4.1997. The said section provided for payment of Minimum Alternative Tax (hereinafter referred to as
MAT) by certain companies, where the total income, as computed under the Income-tax Act, 1961, in
respect of any previous year relevant to the assessment year commencing on or after 1st day of April,
1997, but before the 1st day of April, 2001, was less than 30% of its book profit. In such a case, the
total income of the company chargeable to tax for the relevant previous year was deemed to be an
amount equal to thirty per cent of its book profit.
2. The Finance Act, 2000, w.e.f. 1.4.2001, introduced section 115JB according to which a company
is liable to pay MAT under the provisions of the said section in respect of any previous year relevant to
the assessment year commencing on or after the 1st day of April, 2001. The MAT under this section is
payable where the normal income-tax payable by such company in the previous year is less than 7.5
per cent (10 per cent proposed by the Finance Bill, 2006) of its book profit which is deemed to be the
total income of the company. Such company is liable to pay income-tax at the rate of 7.5 per cent (10
per cent proposed by the Finance Bill, 2006) of its book profit.
The Finance Act, 2005, inserted sub-section (1A) to section 115JAA, to grant tax credit in respect of
MAT paid under section 115JB of the Act with effect from assessment year 2006-07.
3. The salient features of MAT credit under section 115JAA as applicable, in respect of tax paid under
sections 115JA and 115JB, are as below:
(a)

A company, which has paid MAT, would be allowed credit in respect thereof.

(b)

The amount of MAT credit would be equal to the excess of MAT over normal income-tax for the
assessment year for which MAT is paid.

(c)

No interest is allowable on such credit.

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Accounting Pronouncements

(d)

The MAT credit so determined can be carried forward for set-off for five succeeding assessment
years from the year in which MAT credit becomes allowable. The Finance Bill, 2006, has
proposed that credit in respect of MAT paid under section 115JB can be carried forward upto
seven succeeding assessment years (hereinafter referred to as the specified period).

(e)

The amount of MAT credit can be set-off only in the year in which the company is liable to pay tax
as per the normal provisions of the Act and such tax is in excess of MAT for that year.

(f)

The amount of set-off would be to the extent of excess of normal income-tax over the amount of
MAT calculated as if section 115JB had been applied for that assessment year for which the setoff is being allowed.

Accounting Treatment
Whether MAT credit is a deferred tax asset
4. An issue has been raised whether the MAT credit can be considered as a deferred tax asset
within the meaning of Accounting Standard (AS) 22, Accounting for Taxes on Income, issued by the
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. In this context, the following definitions given in AS 22 are
noted:
Timing differences are the differences between taxable income and accounting income for a
period that originate in one period and are capable of reversal in one or more subsequent
periods.
Accounting income (loss) is the net profit or loss for a period, as reported in the statement of
profit and loss, before deducting income tax expense or adding income tax saving.
Taxable income (tax loss) is the amount of the income (loss) for a period,determined in
accordance with the tax laws, based upon which income tax payable (recoverable) is
determined.
5. From the above, it is noted that payment of MAT, does not by itself, result in any timing difference
since it does not give rise to any difference between the accounting income and the taxable income
which are arrived at before adjusting the tax expense, namely, MAT. In other words, under AS 22,
deferred tax asset and deferred tax liability arise on account of differences in the items of income and
expenses credited or charged in the profit and loss account as compared to the items of income that
are taxed or items of expense that are allowed as deduction, for the purposes of the Act. Thus,
deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities do not arise on account of the amount of the tax expense
itself. In view of this, it is not appropriate to consider MAT credit as a deferred tax asset for the
purposes of AS 22.
Whether MAT credit can be considered as an asset
6. Although MAT credit is not a deferred tax asset under AS 22 as discussed above, yet it gives rise
to expected future economic benefit in the form of adjustment of future income tax liability arising within
the specified period. A question, therefore, arises whether the MAT credit can be considered as an
asset and in case it can be considered as an asset whether it should be so recognised in the financial
statements.
7. The Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements, issued by the
Institute of Chartered Accountants of India, defines the term asset as follows:
An asset is a resource controlled by the enterprise as a result of past events from which future
economic benefits are expected to flow to the enterprise.

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-91

8. MAT paid in a year in respect of which the credit is allowed during the specified period under the
Act is a resource controlled by the company as a result of past event, namely, the payment of MAT.
MAT credit has expected future economic benefits in the form of its adjustment against the discharge of
the normal tax liability if the same arises during the specified period.
Accordingly, MAT credit is an asset.
9. According to the Framework, once an item meets the definition of the term asset, it has to meet
the criteria for recognition of an asset so that it may be recognised as such in the financial statements.
Paragraph 88 of the Framework provides the following criteria for recognition of an asset:
88. An asset is recognised in the balance sheet when it is probable that the future economic benefits
associated with it will flow to the enterprise and the asset has a cost or value that can be measured reliably.
10. In order to decide when it is probable that the future economic benefits associated with the asset
will flow to the enterprise, paragraph 84 of the Framework, inter alia, provides as below:
84. The concept of probability is used in the recognition criteria to refer to the degree of uncertainty
that the future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to or from the enterprise. The
concept is in keeping with the uncertainty that characterises the environment in which an enterprise
operates. Assessments of the degree of uncertainty attaching to the flow of future economic benefits
are made on the basis of the evidence available when the financial statements are prepared.
11. The concept of probability as contemplated in paragraph 84 of the Framework relates to both
items of assets and liabilities and, therefore, the degree of uncertainty for recognition of assets and
liabilities may vary keeping in view the consideration of prudence. Accordingly, while for recognition of
a liability the degree of uncertainty to be considered probable can be more likely than not (as in
paragraph 22 of Accounting Standard (AS) 29, Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent
Assets) for recognition of an asset, in appropriate conditions, the degree may have to be higher than
that. Thus, for the purpose of consideration of the probability of expected future economic benefits in
respect of MAT credit, the fact that a company is paying MAT and not the normal income tax, provides
a prima facie evidence that normal income tax liability may not arise within the specified period to avail
MAT credit. In view of this, MAT credit should be recognised as an asset only when and to the extent
there is convincing evidence that the company will pay normal income tax during the specified period.
Such evidence may exist, for example, where a company has, in the current year, a deferred tax
liability because its depreciation for the income-tax purposes is higher than the depreciation for
accounting purposes, but from the next year onwards, the depreciation for accounting purposes would
be higher than the depreciation for income-tax purposes, thereby resulting in the reversal of the
deferred tax liability to an extent that the company becomes liable to pay normal income tax.
12. Where MAT credit is recognised as an asset in accordance with paragraph 11 above, the same
should be reviewed at each balance sheet date. A company should write down the carrying amount of
the MAT credit asset to the extent there is no longer a convincing evidence to the effect that the
company will pay normal income tax during the specified period.
Presentation of MAT credit in the financial statements
Balance Sheet
13. Where a company recognises MAT credit as an asset on the basis of the considerations specified
in paragraph 11 above, the same should be presented under the head Loans and Advances since,
there being a convincing evidence of realisation of the asset, it is of the nature of a pre-paid tax which
would be adjusted against the normal income tax during the specified period. The asset may be
reflected as MAT credit entitlement.

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Accounting Pronouncements

14. In the year of set-off of credit, the amount of credit availed should be shown as a deduction from
the Provision for Taxation on the liabilities side of the balance sheet. The unavailed amount of MAT
credit entitlement, if any, should continue to be presented under the head Loans and Advances if it
continues to meet the considerations stated in paragraph 11 above.
Profit and Loss Account
15. According to paragraph 6 of Accounting Standards Interpretation (ASI) Accounting for Taxes on
Income in the context of Section 115JB of the Income-tax Act, 1961, issued by the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India, MAT is the current tax. Accordingly, the tax expense arising on
account of payment of MAT should be charged at the gross amount, in the normal way, to the profit and
loss account in the year of payment of MAT. In the year in which the MAT credit becomes eligible to be
recognised as an asset in accordance with the recommendations contained in this Guidance Note, the
said asset should be created by way of a credit to the profit and loss account and presented as a
separate line item therein.

GN(A) 24 (Issued 2006)


Guidance Note on Measurement of Income Tax Expense for
Interim Financial Reporting in the Context of AS 25
(The following is the text of the Guidance Note on Measurement of Income-tax Expense for Interim
Financial Reporting in the context of AS 25, issued by the Council of the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of India.)
1.

Accounting Standard (AS) 25, Interim Financial Reporting, issued by the Council of the Institute
of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), prescribes the minimum content of an interim financial
report and the principles for recognition and measurement in complete or condensed financial
statements for an interim period. AS 25 became mandatory in respect of accounting periods
commencing on or after 1st April, 2002. In accordance with the Accounting Standards
Interpretation (ASI) 27, Applicability of AS 25 to Interim Financial Results, the recognition and
measurement principles laid down in AS 25 should be applied for recognition and measurement of
items contained in the interim financial results presented under Clause 41 of the Listing
Agreement entered into between stock exchanges and the listed enterprises. This Guidance Note
deals with the measurement of income tax expense for the purpose of inclusion in the interim
financial reports.

2.

The general principles for recognition and measurement have been laid down in AS 25 as below:
27. An enterprise should apply the same accounting policies in its interim financial
statements as are applied in its annual financial statements, except for accounting policy
changes made after the date of the most recent annual financial statements that are to be
reflected in the next annual financial statements. However, the frequency of an enterprises
reporting (annual, half-yearly, or quarterly) should not affect the measurement of its annual
results. To achieve that objective, measurements for interim reporting purposes should be
made on a year-to-date basis.

28. Requiring that an enterprise apply the same accounting policies in its interim financial statements
as in its annual financial statements may seem to suggest that interim period measurements are
made as if each interim period stands alone as an independent reporting period. However, by
providing that the frequency of an enterprises reporting should not affect the measurement of its
annual results, paragraph 27 acknowledges that an interim period is a part of a financial year.
Year-to-date measurements may involve changes in estimates of amounts reported in prior

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-93

interim periods of the current financial year. But the principles for recognising assets, liabilities,
income, and expenses for interim periods are the same as in annual financial statements.
3.

Paragraph 29(c) of AS 25 illustrates the application of the general principles for recognition and
measurement of tax expense in interim periods, as below:
29..
(c) income tax expense is recognized in each interim period based on the best estimate of the
weighted average annual income tax rate expected for the full financial year. Amounts accrued
for income tax expense in one interim period may have to be adjusted in a subsequent interim
period of that financial year if the estimate of the annual income tax rate changes.

4.

Appendix 3 to AS 25 illustrates the general recognition and measurement principles for the
preparation of interim financial reports. Paragraphs 8 to 16 of the Appendix provide guidance on
the computation of income-tax expense for the interim period, which are reproduced in Appendix
A to this Guidance Note for ready reference. Paragraph 8 of the Appendix states as below:
8. Interim period income tax expense is accrued using the tax rate that would be applicable to
expected total annual earnings, that is, the estimated average annual effective income tax rate
applied to the pre-tax income of the interim period.

5.

The various steps involved in the measurement of income tax expense for the purpose of interim
financial reports are as below:

(i)

An enterprise will first have to estimate its annual accounting income. For this purpose, an
enterprise would have to take into account all probable events and transactions that are expected
to occur during the financial year. Such an estimate would involve, e.g., estimating on prudent
basis, the depreciation on expected expenditure on acquisition of fixed assets, profits from sale of
fixed assets/investments, etc. Such future events and transactions should be taken into account
only if there is a reasonable certainty that the same would take place during the financial year.

(ii)

The enterprise should next estimate its tax liability for the financial year. For this purpose, the
enterprise will have to estimate taxable income for the year. By applying the enacted or the
substantively enacted tax rate on the taxable income, an estimate of the current tax for the year is
arrived at. The estimates of tax liability would have to be based on the estimated deductions,
allowances, etc., that would be available to the enterprise, provided there is a reasonable
certainty for the same. The enterprise would also have to estimate the deferred tax
assets/liabilities by applying the principles of Accounting Standard (AS) 22, Accounting for Taxes
on Income, issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Special considerations
may have to be applied in certain cases as below:
(a)

Where brought forward losses exist from the previous financial year (when deferred tax
asset was not recognised on considerations of prudence as per AS 22): In such a situation,
for estimating the current tax liability, the brought forward losses would have to be deducted
from the estimated annual accounting income as explained in paragraph 16 of Appendix 3
to AS 25 (reproduced in Appendix A to this Guidance Note). Since such carried forward
losses will get set-off during the year, these would not have any tax consequence in future
periods.

(b)

Where brought forward losses exist (when deferred tax asset was recognised on the
considerations of prudence as per AS 22): In such a situation, current tax would be
computed in the same manner as explained in (a) above. However, in the determination of
deferred tax, the tax expense arising from the reversal of the deferred tax asset recognised

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III-94

Accounting Pronouncements
previously, to the extent of reversal of deferred tax asset in the current year, would also be
considered.

(iii) The enterprise would now have to calculate the weighted average annual effective tax rate. This
tax rate would be determined by dividing the estimated tax expense as arrived at step (ii) above
by the estimated annual accounting income as arrived at step (i) above. Where different tax rates
are applicable to different portions of the estimated annual accounting income, e.g., normal tax
rate and a different tax rate for capital gains, the weighted average annual effective tax rate
would have to be calculated separately for such portions of estimated annual accounting income.
(iv) The weighted average annual effective tax rate arrived at step (iii) would be applied to the
accounting income for the interim period for determining the income tax expense to be recognised
in the interim financial reports.
6.

Accounting for interim period income-tax expense as suggested above is based on the approach
prescribed in AS 25 that the interim period is part of the whole accounting year (often referred to
as the integral approach) and, therefore, the said expense should be worked out on the basis of
the estimated weighted average annual effective income-tax rate. According to this approach, the
said rate is determined on the basis of the taxable income for the whole year, and applied to the
accounting income for the interim period in order to determine the amount of tax expense for that
interim period. This is in contrast to accounting for certain other expenses such as depreciation
which is based on the approach prescribed in AS 25 that the interim period should be considered
on stand-alone basis (often referred to as the discrete approach) because expenses such as
depreciation are worked out on the basis of the period for which a fixed asset was available for
use. The aforesaid treatments are, however, consistent with the requirement contained in
paragraph 27 of AS 25 that an enterprise should apply the same accounting policies in its interim
financial statements as are applied in its annual financial statements.

7.

Appendix B contains examples of computing weighted average annual effective tax rate.
APPENDIX A
EXTRACTS FROM APPENDIX 3 TO ACCOUNTING STANDARD (AS) 25, INTERIM FINANCIAL
REPORTING

Measuring Income Tax Expense for Interim Period


8.
9.

Interim period income tax expense is accrued using the tax rate that would be applicable to
expected total annual earnings, that is, the estimated average annual effective income tax rate
applied to the pre-tax income of the interim period.
This is consistent with the basic concept set out in paragraph 27 that the same accounting
recognition and measurement principles should be applied in an interim financial report as are
applied in annual financial statements. Income taxes are assessed on an annual basis. Therefore,
interim period income tax expense is calculated by applying, to an interim period's pre-tax
income, the tax rate that would be applicable to expected total annual earnings, that is, the
estimated average effective annual income tax rate. That estimated average annual income tax
rate would reflect the tax rate structure expected to be applicable to the full year's earnings
including enacted or substantively enacted changes in the income tax rates scheduled to take
effect later in the financial year. The estimated average annual income tax rate would be reestimated on a year-to-date basis, consistent with paragraph 27 of this Statement. Paragraph
16(d) requires disclosure of a significant change in estimate.

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Part III: Guidance Notes

III-95

10. To the extent practicable, a separate estimated average annual effective income tax rate is
determined for each governing taxation law and applied individually to the interim period pre-tax
income under such laws. Similarly, if different income tax rates apply to different categories of
income (such as capital gains or income earned in particular industries), to the extent practicable
a separate rate is applied to each individual category of interim period pre-tax income. While that
degree of precision is desirable, it may not be achievable in all cases, and a weighted average of
rates across such governing taxation laws or across categories of income is used if it is a
reasonable approximation of the effect of using more specific rates.
11. As illustration, an enterprise reports quarterly, earns ` 150 lakhs pre-tax profit in the first quarter
but expects to incur losses of ` 50 lakhs in each of the three remaining quarters (thus having zero
income for the year), and is governed by taxation laws according to which its estimated average
annual income tax rate is expected to be 35 per cent. The following table shows the amount of
income tax expense that is reported in each quarter:
(Amount in ` lakhs)

Tax Expense

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Annual

52.5

(17.5)

(17.5)

(17.5)

Difference in Financial Reporting Year and Tax Year


12. If the financial reporting year and the income tax year differ, income tax expense for the interim
periods of that financial reporting year is measured using separate weighted average estimated
effective tax rates for each of the income tax years applied to the portion of pre-tax income
earned in each of those income tax years.
13. To illustrate, an enterprise's financial reporting year ends 30 September and it reports quarterly.
Its year as per taxation laws ends 31 March. For the financial year that begins 1 October, Year 1
ends 30 September of Year 2, the enterprise earns ` 100 lakhs pre-tax each quarter. The
estimated weighted average annual income tax rate is 30 per cent in Year 1 and 40 per cent in
Year 2.
(Amount in ` lakhs)

Tax Expense

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Year

Ending

Ending

Ending

Ending

Ending

31 Dec.

31 Mar.

30 June

30 Sep.

30 Sep.

Year 1

Year 1

Year 2

Year 2

Year 2

30

30

40

40

140

Tax Deductions/Exemptions
14. Tax statutes may provide deductions/exemptions in computation of income for determining tax
payable. Anticipated tax benefits of this type for the full year are generally reflected in computing
the estimated annual effective income tax rate, because these deductions/exemptions are
calculated on an annual basis under the usual provisions of tax statutes. On the other hand, tax
benefits that relate to a one-time event are recognised in computing income tax expense in that
interim period, in the same way that special tax rates applicable to particular categories of income
are not blended into a single effective annual tax rate.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

III-96

Accounting Pronouncements

Tax Loss Carry forwards


15. A deferred tax asset should be recognised in respect of carry forward tax losses to the extent that
it is virtually certain, supported by convincing evidence, that future taxable income will be
available against which the deferred tax assets can be realised. The criteria are to be applied at
the end of each interim period and, if they are met, the effect of the tax loss carry forward is
reflected in the computation of the estimated average annual effective income tax rate.
16. To illustrate, an enterprise that reports quarterly has an operating loss carryforward of ` 100
lakhs for income tax purposes at the start of the current financial year for which a deferred tax
asset has not been recognised. The enterprise earns ` 100 lakhs in the first quarter of the current
year and expects to earn ` 100 lakhs in each of the three remaining quarters. Excluding the loss
carryforward, the estimated average annual income tax rate is expected to be 40 per cent. The
estimated payment of the annual tax on ` 400 lakhs of earnings for the current year would be
` 120 lakhs {(` 400 lakhs - ` 100 lakhs) x 40%}. Considering the loss carryforward, the estimated
average annual effective income tax rate would be 30% {(` 120 lakhs/` 400 lakhs) x 100}. This
average annual effective income tax rate would be applied to earnings of each quarter.
Accordingly, tax expense would be as follows:
(Amount in ` lakhs)
1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Quarter

Annual

30.00

30.

30.00

30.00

120.00

Tax Expense

Appendix B
Examples of Computation of Weighted Average Annual Effective Tax Rate
Example 1: When deferred tax asset was not recognised for carried forward losses from earlier
accounting periods.
QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER
I
II
III
IV
Estimated Pre-tax Income
(after considering estimated
depreciation on the probable
acquisition of fixed assets
during the year)

Total

(25)

175

(25)

50

175

Carried forward losses from


earlier accounting periods, the
deferred tax asset in respect
of which was not recognised
as it did not meet the
requirements of prudence laid
down in AS 22. During this
year, in view of the expected
taxable income, this loss is
expected to be set off

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

(25)

Part III: Guidance Notes

III-97

thereagainst. Therefore, it will


not have any tax effect on
future periods.
Additional
estimated
depreciation as per tax laws
as
compared
to
the
accounting depreciation after
considering depreciation on
probable capital expenditure
on acquisition of fixed assets
during the year.

(50)

Estimated taxable income on


which tax payable.

100

Applicable tax rate (say)

30%

Estimated current tax expense


for the year.

30

Estimated
deferred
expense
for
the
(50x30/100)

15

tax
year

Weighted Average Annual


Effective Tax Rate (current
tax)

30
175

Weighted Average Annual


Effective Tax Rate (deferred
tax)_

x100=17.14%

15

x
175
=8.57%

Tax expense for the interim


period
Current tax
Deferred tax
Total

(4.29)
(2.14)
(6.43)

30
15
45

100

8.57
4.29
12.86

(4.29)
(2.14)
(6.43)

29.99
15.01
45.00

(a) The above calculation needs to be done for every interim period for which recognition and
measurement of tax expense is required.
(b) It is presumed that there are no other differences between accounting income and taxable
income.
Example 2:
When deferred tax asset was recognised for carried forward losses from earlier
accounting periods.
QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER
I
II
III
IV
Estimated Pre-tax Income
(after considering estimated
depreciation on the probable

Total

(25)

175

(25)

50

175

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Accounting Pronouncements

acquisition of fixed assets


during the year)
Carried forward losses from
earlier accounting periods,
the deferred tax asset in
respect of which was
recognised on the basis of
considerations of AS 22.
During this year, in view of
the expected taxable income,
this loss is expected to be
set off thereagainst. This will
result in reversal of the
deferred tax asset in the
current year.

(25)

Additional
estimated
depreciation as per tax laws
as
compared
to
the
accounting depreciation after
considering depreciation on
probable capital expenditure
on acquisition of fixed assets
during the year.

(50)

Estimated taxable income on


which tax payable.

100

Applicable tax rate (say)

30%

Estimated
current
expense for the year.

tax

30

Estimated
deferred
tax
expense for the year:
(i) Defered tax liability on
account of timing difference
in depreciation (50x30/100)
15
(ii) Reversal of deferred tax
asset
(25x30/100)
7.5

22.5

Weighted Average Annual


Effective Tax Rate (Current
tax)

30
x100=17.14%
175

Weighted Average Annual


Effective Tax Rate (Deferred
tax)

22.5
x100=12.86%
175

Tax expense for the interim


period

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes


(4.29)
(3.21)
(7.50)

Current tax
Deferred tax
Total

30.0
22.5
52.5

8.57
6.43
15.00

(4.29)
(3.21)
(7.50)

III-99

29.99
22.51
52.50

(a)

The above calculation needs to be done for every interim period for which recognition and
measurement of tax expense is required.

(b)

It is presumed that there are no other differences between accounting income and taxable
income.

Example 3: When progressive rates of tax are applicable


Under the Indian tax system, the tax rates for corporates and firms are not progressive (i.e., based on
levels of income), but are flat rates. Therefore, the tax rate to be applied in the interim period would be
the normal rate applicable to the entity. However, the calculation of weighted average annual effective
tax rate can be illustrated as below where the tax rates are progressive:
Estimated annual income

`.1 lakh

Assumed Tax Rates:


On first ` 40,000

30%

On the balance income

40%

Tax expense: 30% of ` 40,000 + 40% of ` 60,000 = ` 36,000


Weighted average annual effective tax rate =

36,000
x 100 = 36%
1,00,000

Supposing the estimated income of each quarter is ` 25,000, the tax expense of ` 9,000 (36% of `
25,000) would be recognised in each of the quarterly financial reports.
Example 4:When different rates of tax are applicable to different portions of the estimated annual
accounting income (refer para5(iii))
Estimated annual income

` 1 lakh

(inclusive of Estimated Capital Gains (earned in Quarter II)

` 20,000

Assumed Tax Rates:


On Capital Gains

10%

On other income:
First ` 40,000

30%

Balance income

40%

Assuming there is no difference between the estimated taxable income and the estimated accounting
income,
Tax Expense:
On Capital Gains portion of annual income:
10% of ` 20,000

` 2,000

On other income: 30% of ` 40,000 + 40% of `.40,000

`.28,000

Total:

`.30,000

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III-100 Accounting Pronouncements


Weighted Average Annual Effective Tax Rate:
On Capital Gains portion of annual income:
On other income:

2,000
x 100 = 10%
20,000

28,000
x 100 = 35%
80,000

Supposing the estimated income of each quarter is `.25,000, when income of `.25,000 for 2nd Quarter
includes capital gains of `.20,000, the tax expense for each quarter will be calculated as below:
Income
Quarter I:

Tax Expense

` 25,000

35% of ` 25,000 =

` 8,750

` 20,000

10% of ` 20,000 =

` 2,000

` 5,000

35% of ` 5,000 =

` 1,750

Quarter III:

` 25,000

35% of ` 25,000 =

` 8,750

Quarter IV:

` 25,000

35% of ` 25,000 =

` 8,750

Quarter II:

Capital Gains:
Other:

Total tax expense for the year

`.12,500

` 30,000

GN(A) 27 (Issued 2008)


Guidance Note on Remuneration paid to Key Management Personnel Whether a Related Party Transaction1
(The following is the text of the Guidance Note on Remuneration paid to key management personnel whether
a related party transaction issued by the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Pursuant to
the issuance of this Guidance Note, Accounting Standards Interpretation (ASI) 23, Remuneration paid to key
management personnel whether a related party transaction (Re. AS 18), stands withdrawn.)
Introduction
1.

This Guidance Note deals with the issue whether remuneration paid to key management
personnel is a related party transaction. Another related issue dealt by this Guidance Note is
whether remuneration paid to non-executive directors on the Board of Directors is a related party
transaction.

2.

Accounting Standard (AS) 18, Related Party Disclosures, defines related party transaction as a
transfer of resources or obligations between related parties, regardless of whether or not a
price is charged. Further, paragraph 24 of AS 18 provides as under:
The following are examples of the related party transactions in respect of which disclosures may
be made by a reporting enterprise:

This Guidance Note was earlier issued as Accounting Standards Interpretation (ASI) 23, Remuneration paid to key
management personnel - whether a related party transaction (Re. AS 18) by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of
India (ICAI). While the Accounting Standards notified by the Central Government under the Companies (Accounting
Standards) Rules, 2006, have incorporated the Consensus part of various ASIs issued by the ICAI, ASI 23 has not been
so incorporated as it was felt that it is primarily clarificatory in nature. The Council of the ICAI, has accordingly, decided to
withdraw ASI 23, and issue the same as a Guidance Note as it provides appropriate guidance on the subject.

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Part III: Guidance Notes III-101

3.

purchases or sales of goods (finished or unfinished);

purchases or sales of fixed assets;

rendering or receiving of services;

agency arrangements;

leasing or hire purchase arrangements;

transfer of research and development;

licence agreements;

finance (including loans and equity contributions in cash or in kind);

guarantees and collaterals; and

management contracts including for deputation of employees.


As per the definition of the expression related party transaction, the transaction should be
between related parties to qualify as a related party transaction. Since key management
personnel are related parties under AS 18, remuneration paid to key management personnel is a
related party transaction requiring disclosures under AS 18. Further, in case non-executive
directors on the Board of Directors are not related parties, remuneration paid to them is not
considered a related party transaction.

Recommendation
Remuneration paid to key management personnel should be considered as a related party transaction
requiring disclosures under AS 18. In case non-executive directors on the Board of Directors are not
related parties, remuneration paid to them should not be considered a related party transaction.

GN(A) 26 (Issued 2008)


Guidance Note on Applicability of Accounting Standard (AS) 20,
Earnings Per Share1
(The following is the text of the Guidance Note on the Applicability of Accounting Standard (AS) 20,
Earnings Per Share, issued by the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Pursuant
to the issuance of this Guidance Note, Accounting Standards Interpretation (ASI) 12 Applicability of
AS 20 (Re. AS 20), stands withdrawn.)
Introduction
1. This Guidance Note deals with the issue whether companies which are required to give
information under Schedule VI to the Companies Act, 1956 !, should calculate and disclose
earnings per share in accordance with Accounting Standard (AS) 20, Earnings Per Share.
2.

AS 20 came into effect in respect of accounting periods commencing on or after 1-4-2001 and is
mandatory in nature, from that date, in respect of enterprises whose equity shares or potential

This Guidance Note was earlier issued as Accounting Standards Interpretation (ASI) 12, Applicability of AS 20 (Re. AS
20) by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). While the Accounting Standards notified by the Central
Government under the Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006, have incorporated the Consensus part of
various ASIs issued by the ICAI, ASI 12 has not been so incorporated as it was felt that it is primarily clarificatory in
nature. The Council of the ICAI, has accordingly, decided to withdraw ASI 12, and issue the same as a Guidance Note as
it provides appropriate guidance on the subject.

Now Schedule III to the Companies Act, 2013.

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III-102 Accounting Pronouncements


equity shares are listed on a recognised stock exchange in India. AS 20 does not mandate an
enterprise, which has neither equity shares nor potential equity shares which are so listed, to
calculate and disclose earnings per share, but, if that enterprise discloses earnings per share for
complying with the requirements of any statute or otherwise, it should calculate and disclose
earnings per share in accordance with AS 20.
Recommendation
3.

Since Schedule VI! to the Companies Act, 1956, requires, among other things, disclosure of
earnings per share, every company which provides information under Schedule VI! to the
Companies Act, 1956, should calculate and disclose earnings per share in accordance with
AS 20, whether or not its equity shares or potential equity shares are listed on a recognised stock
exchange in India.

GN(A) 28 (Issued 2008)


Guidance Note on Applicability of AS 25 to Interim Financial Results4
(The following is the text of the Guidance Note on Applicability of AS 25 to Interim Financial Results,
issued by the Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Pursuant to the issuance of
this Guidance Note, Accounting Standards Interpretation (ASI) 27 - Applicability of AS 25 to Interim
Financial Results (Re. AS 25), stands withdrawn.)
Introduction
1.

This Guidance Note deals with the issue whether Accounting Standard (AS) 25, Interim Financial
Reporting, is applicable to interim financial results presented by an enterprise pursuant to the
requirements of a statute/regulator, for example, quarterly financial results presented under
Clause 41 of the Listing Agreement entered into between Stock Exchanges and the listed
enterprises.
2. Accounting Standard (AS) 25, Interim Financial Reporting, issued by the Council of the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India, came into effect in respect of accounting periods commencing on
or after 1-4-2002. If any enterprise is required or elects to prepare and present an interim
financial report, it should comply with this Standard (applicability paragraph).
3. AS 25 further provides as follows:
1.
This Statement does not mandate which enterprises should be required to present interim
financial reports, how frequently, or how soon after the end of an interim period. If an enterprise
is required or elects to prepare and present an interim financial report, it should comply with
this Statement.
2.
A statute governing an enterprise or a regulator may require an enterprise to prepare and
present certain information at an interim date which may be different in form and/or content as required
by this Statement. In such a case, the recognition and measurement principles as laid down in this

This Guidance Note was earlier issued as Accounting Standards Interpretation (ASI) 27, Applicability of AS 25 to
Interim Financial Results (Re. AS 25) by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). While the Accounting
Standards notified by the Central Government under the Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006, have
incorporated the Consensus part of various ASIs issued by ICAI, ASI 27 has not been so incorporated as it was felt that
it was not relevant to the requirements of the Companies Act, 1956. The Council of the ICAI, accordingly, has decided to
withdraw ASI 27 and issue the same as a Guidance Note as it provides appropriate guidance on the subject.
4

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Part III: Guidance Notes III-103


Statement are applied in respect of such information, unless otherwise specified in the statute or by the
regulator.
4.
The following terms are used in this Statement with the meanings specified:

Interim financial report means a financial report containing either a complete set of
financial statements or a set of condensed financial statements (as described in this
Statement) for an interim period.
Recommendation
4.

The presentation and disclosure requirements contained in AS 25 should be applied only if an


enterprise prepares and presents an interim financial report as defined in AS 25. Accordingly,
presentation and disclosure requirements contained in AS 25 are not required to be applied in
respect of interim financial results (which do not meet the definition of interim financial report as
per AS 25) presented by an enterprise. For example, quarterly financial results presented under
Clause 41 of the Listing Agreement entered into between Stock Exchanges and the listed
enterprises do not meet the definition of interim financial report as per AS 25. However, the
recognition and measurement principles laid down in AS 25 should be applied for recognition and
measurement of items contained in such interim financial results.

GN(A) 29 (Issued 2008)


Guidance Note on Turnover in Case of Contractors1
(The following is the text of the Guidance Note on Turnover in case of Contractors, issued by the
Council of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India. Pursuant to the issuance of this Guidance
Note, Accounting Standards Interpretation (ASI) 29 Turnover in case of Contractors (Re. AS 7),
stands withdrawn.)
Introduction
1.

This Guidance Note deals with the issue whether the revenue recognised in the financial
statements of contractors as per the requirements of Accounting Standard (AS) 7, Construction
Contracts (revised 2002), can be considered as turnover.

2.

AS 7 (revised 2002) deals, inter alia, with revenue recognition in respect of construction contracts
in the financial statements of contractors. It requires recognition of revenue by reference to the
stage of completion of a contract (referred to as percentage of completion method). This method
results in reporting of revenue which can be attributed to the proportion of work completed. Under
this method, contract revenue is recognised as revenue in the statement of profit and loss in the
accounting period in which the work is performed.

3.

The paragraph dealing with the Objective of AS 7 (revised 2002) provides as follows:

This Guidance Note was earlier issued as Accounting Standards Interpretation (ASI) 29, Turnover in case of Contractors
(Re. AS 7) by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI). While the Accounting Standards notified by the Central
Government under the Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006, have incorporated the Consensus part of various
ASIs issued by the ICAI, ASI 29 has not been so incorporated as it was felt that it is primarily clarificatory in nature. The
Council of the ICAI, has accordingly, decided to withdraw ASI 29, and issue the same as a Guidance Note as it provides
appropriate guidance on the subject.

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III-104 Accounting Pronouncements


Objective
The objective of this Statement is to prescribe the accounting treatment of revenue and costs
associated with construction contracts. Because of the nature of the activity undertaken in
construction contracts, the date at which the contract activity is entered into and the date when
the activity is completed usually fall into different accounting periods. Therefore, the primary issue
in accounting for construction contracts is the allocation of contract revenue and contract costs to
the accounting periods in which construction work is performed. This Statement uses the
recognition criteria established in the Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of
Financial Statements to determine when contract revenue and contract costs should be
recognised as revenue and expenses in the statement of profit and loss. It also provides practical
guidance on the application of these criteria.
From the above, it may be noted that AS 7 (revised 2002) deals, inter alia, with the allocation of
contract revenue to the accounting periods in which construction work is performed.
4.

Further, paragraphs 21 and 31 of AS 7 (revised 2002) provide as follows:


21. When the outcome of a construction contract can be estimated reliably, contract
revenue and contract costs associated with the construction contract should be
recognised as revenue and expenses respectively by reference to the stage of completion
of the contract activity at the reporting date. An expected loss on the construction contract
should be recognised as an expense immediately in accordance with paragraph 35.
31. When the outcome of a construction contract cannot be estimated reliably:
(a)

revenue should be recognised only to the extent of contract costs incurred of which
recovery is probable; and

(b)

contract costs should be recognised as an expense in the period in which they are
incurred.

An expected loss on the construction contract should be recognised as an expense


immediately in accordance with paragraph 35.
From the above, it may be noted that the recognition of revenue as per AS 7 (revised 2002) may
be inclusive of profit (as per paragraph 21 reproduced above) or exclusive of profit (as per
paragraph 31 reproduced above) depending on whether the outcome of the construction contract
can be estimated reliably or not. When the outcome of the construction contract can be estimated
reliably, the revenue is recognised inclusive of profit and when the same cannot be estimated
reliably, it is recognised exclusive of profit. However, in either case it is considered as revenue as
per AS 7 (revised 2002).
5.

Revenue is a wider term. For example, within the meaning of Accounting Standard (AS) 9,
Revenue Recognition, the term revenue includes revenue from sales transactions, rendering of
services and from the use by others of enterprise resources yielding interest, royalties and
dividends. The term turnover is used in relation to the source of revenue that arises from the
principal revenue generating activity of an enterprise. In case of a contractor, the construction
activity is its principal revenue generating activity. Hence, the revenue recognised in the
statement of profit and loss of a contractor in accordance with the principles laid down in AS 7
(revised 2002), by whatever nomenclature described in the financial statements, is considered as
turnover.

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Part III: Guidance Notes III-105


Recommendation

6.

The amount of contract revenue recognised as revenue in the statement of profit and
loss as per the requirements of AS 7 (revised 2002), should be considered as turnover.

Guidance Note on Revised Schedule-VI! to the Companies Act, 1956


1.

Introduction

1.1 Schedule VI to the Companies Act, 1956 (the Act) provides the manner in which every company
registered under the Act shall prepare its Balance Sheet, Statement of Profit and Loss and notes
thereto. In the light of various economic and regulatory reforms that have taken place for companies
over the last several years, there was a need for enhancing the disclosure requirements under the Old
Schedule VI to the Act and harmonizing and synchronizing them with the notified Accounting Standards
as applicable (AS/Accounting Standard(s)). Accordingly, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has
issued a revised form of Schedule VI on February 28, 2011. As per the relevant notifications, the
Schedule applies to all companies for the Financial Statements to be prepared for the financial year
commencing on or after April 1, 2011.
1.2 The requirements of the Revised Schedule VI! however, do not apply to companies as referred to in
the proviso to Section 211 (1) and Section 211 (2) of the Act i.e., any insurance or banking company,
or any company engaged in the generation or supply of electricity or to any other class of company for
which a form of Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss account has been specified in or under any other
Act governing such class of company.
1.3 It may be clarified that for companies engaged in the generation and supply of electricity,
however, neither the Electricity Act, 2003, nor the rules framed thereunder, prescribe any specific
format for presentation of Financial Statements by an electricity company. Section 616(c) of the
Companies Act states that the Companies Act will apply to electricity companies, to the extent it is not
contrary to the requirements of the Electricity Act. Keeping this in view, Revised Schedule VI may be
followed by such companies till the time any other format is prescribed by the relevant statute.

2.

Objective and Scope

2.1. The objective of this Guidance Note is to provide guidance in the preparation and presentation of
Financial Statements of companies in accordance with various aspects of the Revised Schedule VI.
However, it does not provide guidance on disclosure requirements under Accounting Standards, other
pronouncements of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), other statutes, etc.
2.2. In preparing this Guidance Note, reference has been made to the Accounting Standards notified
under the Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006 (as amended), other Accounting Standards
issued by the ICAI (yet to be notified under the Act) and various other pronouncements of the ICAI. The
primary focus of the Guidance Note has been to lay down broad guidelines to deal with practical issues
that may arise in the implementation of the Revised Schedule VI.
2.3. As per the clarification issued by ICAI regarding the authority attached to the Documents Issued
by ICAI, Guidance Notes are primarily designed to provide guidance to members on matters which
!

Now Schedule III to the Companies Act, 2013. This change should be considered at all places of this Guidance
Note.

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III-106 Accounting Pronouncements


may arise in the course of their professional work and on which they may desire assistance in resolving
issues which may pose difficulty. Guidance Notes are recommendatory in nature. A member should
ordinarily follow recommendations in a guidance note relating to an auditing matter except where he is
satisfied that in the circumstances of the case, it may not be necessary to do so. Similarly, while
discharging his attest function, a member should examine whether the recommendations in a guidance
note relating to an accounting matter have been followed or not. If the same have not been followed,
the member should consider whether keeping in view the circumstances of the case, a disclosure in his
report is necessary.

3.

Applicability

3.1. As per the Government Notification no. F.No.2/6/2008-C.L-V dated 30-3-2011, the Revised
Schedule VI is applicable for the Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account to be prepared for the
financial year commencing on or after April 1, 2011.
3.2. Early adoption of the Revised Schedule VI is not permitted since Schedule VI is a statutory
format.
3.3. The Revised Schedule VI! requires that except in the case of the first Financial Statements laid
before the company after incorporation, the corresponding amounts for the immediately preceding
period are to be disclosed in the Financial Statements including the Notes to Accounts. Accordingly,
corresponding information will have to be presented starting from the first year of application of the
st
Revised Schedule VI. Thus for the Financial Statements prepared for the year 2011-12 (1 April 2011
st
to 31 March 2012), corresponding amounts need to be given for the financial year 2010-11.
3.4. ICAI had earlier issued the Statement on the Amendments to Schedule VI to the Companies Act,
1956 in March 1976 (as amended). Wherever guidance provided in this publication is different from the
guidance in the aforesaid Statement, this Guidance Note will prevail.
3.5. Applicability of the Revised Schedule VI format to interim Financial Statements prepared by
companies in the first year of application of the Schedule:
Relevant paragraphs of AS-25 Interim Financial Reporting are quoted below:
10. If an enterprise prepares and presents a complete set of Financial Statements in its interim
financial report, the form and content of those statements should conform to the requirements as
applicable to annual complete set of Financial Statements.
11. If an enterprise prepares and presents a set of condensed Financial Statements in its interim
financial report, those condensed statements should include, at a minimum, each of the headings and
sub-headings that were included in its most recent annual Financial Statements and the selected
explanatory notes as required by this Statement. Additional line items or notes should be included if
their omission would make the condensed interim Financial Statements misleading.
3.6. Accordingly, if a company is presenting condensed interim Financial Statements, its format should
conform to that used in the companys most recent annual Financial Statements, i.e., the Old Schedule
VI. However, if it presents a complete set of Financial Statements, it should use the Revised Schedule
VI, i.e., the new format applicable to annual Financial Statements.
3.7. The format of Balance Sheet currently prescribed under Clause 41 to the Listing Agreement
based on the Old Schedule VI is inconsistent with the format of Balance Sheet in the Revised Schedule
VI. Till Clause 41 is revised, this issue to be addressed by companies as explained below:

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Part III: Guidance Notes III-107


3.7.1. Clauses 41(I)(ea) and 41(I)(eaa) to the Listing Agreement regarding presentation of Balance
Sheet items in half-yearly and annual audited results, respectively states as under:
(ea) As a part of its audited or unaudited financial results for the half-year, the company shall also
submit by way of a note, a statement of assets and liabilities as at the end of the half-year.
(eaa) However, when a company opts to submit un-audited financial results for the last quarter of the
financial year, it shall, submit a statement of assets and liabilities as at the end of the financial year
only along with the audited financial results for the entire financial year, as soon as they are approved
by the Board.
3.7.2. Further, Clause 41(V)(h) regarding format of Balance Sheet items states as under:
(h) Disclosure of Balance Sheet items as per items (ea) shall be in the format specified in Annexure IX
drawn from Schedule VI of the Companies Act, or its equivalent formats in other statutes, as
applicable.
Based on the above:
(a)

For Half yearly results: Though the requirement in clause 41(V)(h) makes a reference to the
Schedule VI for the presentation of Balance Sheet items, in case of half-yearly results of a
company, it has prescribed a specific format for the purpose. Hence, till the time a new format is
prescribed by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under Clause 41, companies
will have to continue to present their half-yearly Balance Sheets based on the format currently
specified by the SEBI.

(b)

For Annual audited yearly results: Clause 41(V) (h) does not refer to any format for the
purposes of annual statement of assets and liabilities. Since companies have to prepare their
annual Financial Statements in the Revised Schedule VI format, companies should use the same
format of Revised Schedule VI! for submission to stock exchanges as well.

3.8. The formats of the Balance Sheet and Statement of Profit and Loss prescribed under the SEBI
(Issue of Capital & Disclosure Requirements) Regulations 2009 (ICDR Regulations) is inconsistent
with the format of the Balance Sheet/ Statement of Profit and Loss in the Revised Schedule VI.
However, the formats of Balance Sheet and Statement of Profit and Loss under ICDR Regulations are
illustrative formats. Accordingly, to make the data comparable and meaningful for users, companies
should use the Revised Schedule VI format to present the restated financial information for inclusion in
the offer document. Consequently, among other things, this will involve classification of assets and
liabilities into current and non-current for earlier years presented as well.
th

Attention is also invited to the General Circular no 62/2011 dated 5 September 2011 issued by the
Ministry of Company Affairs which clarifies that the presentation of Financial Statements for the limited
purpose of IPO/FPO during the financial year 2011-12 may be made in the format of the pre-revised
st
Schedule VI under the Companies Act, 1956. However, for period beyond 31 March 2012, they would
prepare only in the new format as prescribed by the present Schedule VI of the Companies Act, 1956.

4.

Summary of Revised Schedule VI

4.1. Main principles


4.1.1. The Revised Schedule VI requires that if compliance with the requirements of the Act and / or the
notified Accounting Standards requires a change in the treatment or disclosure in the Financial
Statements as compared to that provided in the Revised Schedule VI, the requirements of the Act and /
or the notified Accounting Standards will prevail over the Schedule.

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III-108 Accounting Pronouncements


4.1.2. The Revised Schedule VI clarifies that the requirements mentioned therein for disclosure on the
face of the Financial Statements or in the notes are minimum requirements. Line items, sub-line items
and sub-totals can be presented as an addition or substitution on the face of the Financial Statements
when such presentation is relevant for understanding of the companys financial position and /or
performance.
4.1.3. In the Old Schedule VI, break-up of amounts disclosed in the main Balance Sheet and Profit and
Loss Account was given in the Schedules. Additional information was furnished in the Notes to
Account. The Revised Schedule VI has eliminated the concept of Schedule and such information is
now to be furnished in the Notes to Accounts.
4.1.4. The terms used in the Revised Schedule VI will carry the meaning as defined by the applicable
Accounting Standards. For example, the terms such as associate, related parties, etc. will have the
same meaning as defined in Accounting Standards notified under Companies (Accounting Standards)
Rules, 2006.
4.1.5. In preparing the Financial Statements including the Notes to Accounts, a balance will have to be
maintained between providing excessive detail that may not assist users of Financial Statements and
not providing important information as a result of too much aggregation.
4.1.6. All items of assets and liabilities are to be bifurcated between current and non-current portions
and presented separately on the face of the Balance Sheet. Such classification was not required by the
Old Schedule VI.
4.1.7. There is an explicit requirement to use the same unit of measurement uniformly throughout the
Financial Statements and notes thereon. Moreover, rounding off requirements (where opted for) have
been changed to eliminate the option of presenting figures in terms of hundreds and thousands if
turnover exceeds 100 crores.

4.2. Major changes related to the Balance sheet


4.2.1. The Revised Schedule VI prescribes only the vertical format for presentation of Financial
Statements. Thus, a company will now not have an option to use horizontal format for the presentation
of Financial Statements as prescribed in Old Schedule VI.
4.2.2. Current and non-current classification has been introduced for presentation of assets and
liabilities in the Balance Sheet. The application of this classification will require assets and liabilities to
be segregated into their current and non-current portions. For instance, current maturities of a longterm borrowing will have to be classified under the head Other current liabilities.
4.2.3. Number of shares held by each shareholder holding more than 5 percent shares in the company
now needs to be disclosed. In the absence of any specific indication of the date of holding, such
information should be based on shares held as on the Balance Sheet date.
4.2.4. Details pertaining to aggregate number and class of shares allotted for consideration other than
cash, bonus shares and shares bought back will need to be disclosed only for a period of five years
immediately preceding the Balance Sheet date including the current year.
4.2.5. Any debit balance in the Statement of Profit and Loss will be disclosed under the head Reserves
and surplus. Earlier, any debit balance in Profit and Loss Account carried forward after deduction from
uncommitted reserves was required to be shown as the last item on the Assets side of the Balance
Sheet.
4.2.6. Specific disclosures are prescribed for Share Application money. The application money not
exceeding the capital offered for issuance and to the extent not refundable will be shown separately on

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Part III: Guidance Notes III-109


the face of the Balance Sheet. The amount in excess of subscription or if the requirements of minimum
subscription are not met will be shown under Other current liabilities.
4.2.7. The term sundry debtors has been replaced with the term trade receivables. Trade
receivables are defined as dues arising only from goods sold or services rendered in the normal
course of business. Hence, amounts due on account of other contractual obligations can no longer be
included in the trade receivables.
4.2.8. The Old Schedule VI required separate presentation of debtors outstanding for a period
exceeding six months based on date on which the bill/invoice was raised whereas, the Revised
Schedule VI requires separate disclosure of trade receivables outstanding for a period exceeding six
months from the date the bill/invoice is due for payment.
4.2.9. Capital advances are specifically required to be presented separately under the head Loans &
advances rather than including elsewhere.
4.2.10. Tangible assets under lease are required to be separately specified under each class of asset.
In the absence of any further clarification, the term under lease should be taken to mean assets given
on operating lease in the case of lessor and assets held under finance lease in the case of lessee.
4.2.11. In the Old Schedule VI, details of only capital commitments were required to be disclosed.
Under the Revised Schedule VI, other commitments also need to be disclosed.
4.2.12. The Revised Schedule VI requires disclosure of all defaults in repayment of loans and interest
to be specified in each case. Earlier, no such disclosure was required in the Financial Statements.
However, disclosures pertaining to defaults in repayment of dues to a financial institution, bank and
debenture holders continue to be required in the report under Companies (Auditors Report) Order,
2003 (CARO).
4.2.13. The Revised Schedule VI introduces a number of other additional disclosures. Some examples
are:
(a)

Rights, preferences and restrictions attaching to each class of shares, including restrictions on
the distribution of dividends and the repayment of capital;

(b)

Terms of repayment of long-term loans;

(c)

In each class of investment, details regarding names of the bodies corporate in whom
investments have been made, indicating separately whether such bodies are (i) subsidiaries, (ii)
associates, (iii) joint ventures, or (iv) controlled special purpose entities, and the nature and
extent of the investment made in each such body corporate (showing separately partly-paid
investments);

(d)

Aggregate provision for diminution in value of investments separately for current and long-term
investments;

(e)

Stock-in-trade held for trading purposes, separately from other finished goods.

4.3. Main changes related to Statement of Profit and Loss


4.3.1. The name has been changed to Statement of Profit and Loss as against Profit and Loss
Account as contained in the Old Schedule VI.
4.3.2. Unlike the Old Schedule VI, the Revised Schedule VI lays down a format for the presentation of
Statement of Profit and Loss. This format of Statement of Profit and Loss does not mention any
appropriation item on its face. Further, the Revised Schedule VI format prescribes such below the line
adjustments to be presented under Reserves and Surplus in the Balance Sheet.

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III-110 Accounting Pronouncements


4.3.3. In addition to specific disclosures prescribed in the Statement of Profit and Loss, any item of
income or expense which exceeds one percent of the revenue from operations or ` 100,000 (earlier 1
% of total revenue or ` 5,000), whichever is higher, needs to be disclosed separately.
4.3.4. The Old Schedule VI required the parent company to recognize dividends declared by subsidiary
companies even after the date of the Balance Sheet if they were pertaining to the period ending on or
before the Balance Sheet date. Such requirement no longer exists in the Revised Schedule VI.
Accordingly, as per AS-9 Revenue Recognition, dividends should be recognized as income only when
the right to receive dividends is established as on the Balance Sheet date.
4.3.5. In respect of companies other than finance companies, revenue from operations need to be
disclosed separately as revenue from (a) sale of products, (b) sale of services and (c) other operating
revenues.
4.3.6. Net exchange gain/loss on foreign currency borrowings to the extent considered as an
adjustment to interest cost needs to be disclosed separately as finance cost.
4.3.7. Break-up in terms of quantitative disclosures for significant items of Statement of Profit and Loss,
such as raw material consumption, stocks, purchases and sales have been simplified and replaced with
the disclosure of broad heads only. The broad heads need to be decided based on considerations of
materiality and presentation of true and fair view of the Financial Statements.

4.4. Disclosures no longer required


The Revised Schedule VI has removed a number of disclosure requirements that were not considered
relevant in the present day context. Examples include:
(a)

Disclosures relating to managerial remuneration and computation of net profits for calculation of
commission;

(b)

Information relating to licensed capacity, installed capacity and actual production;

(c)

Information on investments purchased and sold during the year;

(d)

Investments, sundry debtors and loans & advances pertaining to companies under the same
management;

(e)

Maximum amounts due on account of loans and advances from directors or officers of the
company;

(f)

Commission, brokerage and non-trade discounts

However, there are certain disclosures such as value of imports calculated on CIF basis,
earnings/expenditure in foreign currency, etc. that still continue in the Revised Schedule VI.

5.

Structure of the Revised Schedule VI

The Structure of Revised Schedule VI! is as under:


I. General Instructions
II. Part I Form of Balance Sheet
III. General Instructions for Preparation of Balance Sheet
IV. Part II Form of Statement of Profit and Loss
V. General Instructions for Preparation of Statement of Profit and Loss

6.

General Instructions to the Revised Schedule VI

6.1. The General Instructions lay down the broad principles and guidelines for preparation and

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presentation of Financial Statements.
6.2. As laid down in the Preface to the Statements of Accounting Standards issued by ICAI, if a
particular Accounting Standard is found to be not in conformity with law, the provisions of the said law
will prevail and the Financial Statements should be prepared in conformity with such law. Accordingly,
by virtue of this principle, disclosure requirements of the Old Schedule VI were considered to prevail
over Accounting Standards. However, since the Revised Schedule VI gives overriding status to the
requirements of the Accounting Standards and other requirements of the Act, such principle of law
overriding the Accounting Standards is inapplicable in the context of the Revised Schedule VI.
6.3. The Revised Schedule VI requires that if compliance with the requirements of the Act including
applicable Accounting Standards require any change in the treatment or disclosure including addition,
amendment, substitution or deletion in the head/sub-head or any changes inter se, in the Financial
Statements or statements forming part thereof, the same shall be made and the requirements of
Revised Schedule VI shall stand modified accordingly.
6.4. Implications of all instructions mentioned above can be illustrated by means of the following
example. One of the line items to be presented on the face of the Balance Sheet under Current assets
is Cash and cash equivalents. The break-up of these items required to be presented by the Revised
Schedule VI comprises of items such as Balances with banks held as margin money or security against
borrowings, guarantees, etc. and bank deposits with more than 12 months maturity. According to AS 3
Cash Flow Statements, Cash is defined to include cash on hand and demand deposits with banks.
Cash Equivalents are defined as short term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into
known amounts of cash and which are subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. The
Standard further explains that an investment normally qualifies as a cash equivalent only when it has a
short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition. Hence, normally, deposits with
original maturity of three months or less only should be classified as cash equivalents. Further, bank
balances held as margin money or security against borrowings are neither in the nature of demand
deposits, nor readily available for use by the company, and accordingly, do not meet the aforesaid
definition of cash equivalents. Thus, this is an apparent conflict between the requirements of the
Revised Schedule VI and the Accounting Standards with respect to which items should form part of
Cash and cash equivalents. As laid down in the General Instructions, Para 1 of Revised Schedule VI,
requirements of the Accounting Standards would prevail over the Revised Schedule VI and the
company should make necessary modifications in the Financial Statements which may include addition,
amendment, substitution or deletion in the head/sub-head or any other changes inter se. Accordingly,
the conflict should be resolved by changing the caption Cash and cash equivalents to Cash and bank
balances, which may have two sub-headings, viz., Cash and cash equivalents and Other bank
balances. The former should include only the items that constitute Cash and cash equivalents defined
in accordance with AS 3 (and not the Revised Schedule VI!), while the remaining line-items may be
included under the latter heading.
6.5. Para 2 of the General Instructions to the Revised Schedule VI states that the disclosure
requirements of the Schedule are in addition to and not in substitution of the disclosure requirements
specified in the notified Accounting Standards. They further clarify that the additional disclosures
specified in the Accounting Standards shall be made in the Notes to Accounts or by way of an
additional statement unless required to be disclosed on the face of the Financial Statements. All other
disclosures required by the Act are also required to be made in the Notes to Accounts in addition to the
requirements set out in the Revised Schedule VI.
6.6. An example to illustrate the above point is the specific disclosure required by AS-24 Discontinuing
Operations on the face of the Statement of Profit and Loss which has not been incorporated in the

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Revised Schedule VI. The disclosure pertains to the amount of pre-tax gain or loss recognised on the
disposal of assets or settlement of liabilities attributable to the discontinuing operation. Accordingly,
such disclosures specifically required by the Accounting Standard on the face of either the Statement
of Profit and Loss or Balance Sheet will have to be so made even if not forming part of the formats
prescribed under the Revised Schedule VI.
6.7. All the other disclosures required by the Accounting Standards will continue to be made in the
Financial Statements. Further, the disclosures required by the Act will continue to be made in the Notes
to Accounts. An example of this is the separate disclosure required by Section 293Aof the Act for
donations made to political parties. Such disclosures would be made in the Notes.
6.8. Though not specifically required by the Revised Schedule VI, disclosures mandated by other Acts
or legal requirements will have to be made in the Financial Statements. For example, The Micro, Small
and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 requires specified disclosures to be made in
the annual Financial Statements of the buyer wherever such Financial Statements are required to be
audited under any law. Accordingly, such disclosures will have to be made in the buyer companys
annual Financial Statements.
6.9. The above principle would apply to disclosures required by other legal requirements as well such
as, disclosures required under Clause 32 to the Listing Agreement, etc. A further extension of the
above principle also means that specific disclosures required by various pronouncements of regulatory
bodies such as the ICAI announcement for disclosures on derivatives and unhedged foreign currency
exposures, and other disclosure requirements prescribed by various ICAI Guidance Notes, such as
Guidance Note on Employee Share-based Payments, etc. should continue to be made in the Financial
Statements in addition to the disclosures specified by the Revised Schedule VI.
6.10. In the Old Schedule VI, break-up of amounts disclosed on the face of the Balance Sheet and
Profit and Loss Account was required to be given in the Schedules. Additional information was required
to be furnished in the Notes to Account. The Revised Schedule VI requires all information relating to
each item on the face of the Balance Sheet and Statement of Profit and Loss to be cross-referenced to
the Notes to Accounts. The manner of such cross-referencing to various other informations contained
in the Financial Statements has also been changed to Note No. as compared to Schedule No. in the
Old Schedule VI. Hence, the same is suggestive of a change in the old format of presentation from
Schedules and Notes to Accounts to the new format of only Notes to Accounts. The instructions state
that the Notes to Accounts should provide where required, narrative descriptions or disaggregations of
items recognized in those statements. Hence, presentation of all narrative descriptions and
disaggregations should preferably be presented in the form of Notes to Accounts rather than in the form
of Schedules. Such style of presentation is also in line with the manner of presentation of Financial
Statements followed by companies internationally and would facilitate comparability of Financial
Statements.
6.11. Para 3 of the General Instructions of the Revised Schedule VI also states that the Notes to
Accounts should also contain information about items that do not qualify for recognition in Financial
Statements. These disclosures normally refer to items such as Contingent Liabilities and Commitments
which do not get recognised in the Financial Statements. These have been dealt with later in this
Guidance Note. Some of the other disclosures relating to items that are not recognised in the Financial
Statements also emanate from the Accounting Standards, such as, disclosures required under AS 9
Revenue Recognition on circumstances in which revenue recognition is to be postponed pending the
resolution of significant uncertainties. Contingent Assets, however, are not to be disclosed in the
Financial Statements as per AS 29 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets.

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6.12. The General Instructions also lay down the principle that in preparing Financial Statements
including Notes to Accounts, a balance shall be maintained between providing excessive detail that
may not assist users of Financial Statements and not providing important information as a result of too
much aggregation. Compliance with this requirement is a matter of professional judgement and may
vary on a case to case basis based on facts and circumstances. However, it is necessary to strike a
balance between overburdening Financial Statements with excessive detail that may not assist users of
Financial Statements and obscuring important information as a result of too much aggregation. For
example, a company should not obscure important information by including it among a large amount of
insignificant detail or in a way that it obscures important differences between individual transactions or
associated risks.
6.13. The Revised Schedule VI has specifically introduced a new requirement of using the same unit of
measurement uniformly across the Financial Statements. Such requirement should be taken to imply
that all figures disclosed in the Financial Statements including Notes to Accounts should be of the same
denomination.
6.14. The Revised Schedule VI has also introduced new rounding off requirements as compared to the
Old Schedule VI. The new requirement does not prescribe the option to present figures in terms of
hundreds and thousands if the turnover equals or exceeds ` 100 crores. Rather, they allow rounding
off in crores, which was earlier permitted only when the turnover equaled or exceeded five hundred
crores rupees. Similarly, where turnover is below ` 100 crore, the Revised Schedule VI gives an option
to present figures in lakhs and millions as well, which did not exist earlier. However, it is not
compulsory to apply rounding off and a company can continue to disclose full figures. But, if the same
is applied, the rounding off requirement should be complied with.
Old Schedule VI

Turnover < ` 100 Crores Round off to


the nearest hundreds, thousands or
decimal thereof

Turnover ` 100 to ` 500 Crores - Round


off to the nearest hundreds, thousands,
lakhs or millions or decimal thereof

Turnover > ` 500 Crores Round off to the


nearest hundreds, thousands, lakhs,
millions or crores, or decimal thereof.

Revised Schedule VI
Turnover < ` 100 Crores - Round off to the
nearest hundreds, thousands, lakhs or
millions or decimal thereof.

Turnover > ` 100 Crores Round off to the


nearest lakhs, millions or crores, or decimal
thereof

6.15. The instructions also clarify that the terms used in the Revised Schedule VI shall be as per the
applicable Accounting Standards. For example, the term related parties used at several places in the
Revised
Schedule VI should be interpreted based on the definition given in AS-18 Related Party Disclosures.
6.16. The Notes to the General Instructions re-clarify that the Revised Schedule VI sets out the
minimum requirements for disclosure in the Financial Statements including notes. It states that line
items, sub-line items and sub-totals shall be presented as an addition or substitution on the face of the
Balance Sheet and Statement of Profit and Loss when such presentation is relevant to an
understanding of the companys financial position or performance or to cater to industry/sector-specific
disclosure requirements, apart from, when required for compliance with amendments to the Act or the
Accounting Standards.
The application of the above requirement is a matter of professional judgement. The following examples

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illustrate this requirement. Earnings before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation is often an
important measure of financial performance of the company relevant to the various users of Financial
Statements and stakeholders of the company. Hence, a company may choose to present the same as an
additional line item on the face of the Statement of Profit and Loss. The method of computation adopted
by companies for presenting such measures should be followed consistently over the years. Further,
companies should also disclose the policy followed in the measurement of such line items.
6.17. Similarly, users and stakeholders often want to know the liquidity position of the company. To
highlight the same, a company may choose to present additional sub-totals of Current assets and
Current liabilities on the face of the Balance Sheet.
6.18. One example of addition or substitution of line items, sub-line items and sub-totals to cater to
industry-specific disclosure requirements can be noted from Non-Banking Financial (Non-Deposit
Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007. The Directions
prescribe that every non-banking finance company is required to separately disclose in its Balance
Sheet the provisions made under the Directions without netting them from the income or against the
value of assets. Though not specifically required by the Schedule, such addition or substitution of line
items can be made in the notes forming part of the Financial Statements as well.

7.

General Instructions For Preparation of Balance Sheet : Notes 1 To 5

7.1.

Current/Non-current assets and liabilities:

The Revised Schedule VI requires all items in the Balance Sheet to be classified as either Current or
Non-current and be reflected as such. Notes 1 to 3 of the Revised Schedule VI define Current Asset,
Operating Cycle and Current Liability as below:
7.1.1. An asset shall be classified as current when it satisfies any of the following criteria:
(a)

it is expected to be realized in, or is intended for sale or consumption in, the companys normal
operating cycle;

(b)

it is held primarily for the purpose of being traded;

(c) it is expected to be realized within twelve months after the reporting date; or
(d)

it is Cash or cash equivalent unless it is restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a
liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

All other assets shall be classified as non-current.


7.1.2. An operating cycle is the time between the acquisition of assets for processing and their
realization in Cash or cash equivalents. Where the normal operating cycle cannot be identified, it is
assumed to have a duration of twelve months.
7.1.3. A liability shall be classified as current when it satisfies any of the following criteria:
(a)

it is expected to be settled in the companys normal operating cycle;

(b)

it is held primarily for the purpose of being traded;

(c)

it is due to be settled within twelve months after the reporting date; or

(d)

the company does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least
twelve months after the reporting date. Terms of a liability that could, at the option of the
counterparty, result in its settlement by the issue of equity instruments do not affect its
classification.

All other liabilities shall be classified as non-current.

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7.1.4. The Revised Schedule VI defines current assets and current liabilities, with the non-current
category being the residual. It is therefore necessary that the balance pertaining to each item of assets
and liabilities contained in the Balance Sheet be split into its current and non-current portions and be
classified accordingly as on the reporting date.
7.1.5. Based on the definition, current assets include assets such as raw material and stores which are
intended for consumption or sale in the course of the companys normal operating cycle. Items of
inventory which may be consumed or realized within the companys normal operating cycle should be
classified as current even if the same are not expected to be so consumed or realized within twelve
months after the reporting date. Current assets would also include assets held primarily for the purpose
of being traded such as inventory of finished goods. They would also include trade receivables which
are expected to be realized within twelve months from the reporting date and Cash and cash
equivalents which are not under any restriction of use.
7.1.6. Similarly, current liabilities would include items such as trade payables, employee salaries and
other operating costs that are expected to be settled in the companys normal operating cycle or due to
be settled within twelve months from the reporting date. It is pertinent to note that such operating
liabilities are normally part of the working capital of the company used in the companys normal
operating cycle and hence, should be classified as current even if they are due to be settled more than
twelve months after the end of the reporting date.
7.1.7. Further, any liability, pertaining to which the company does not have an unconditional right to
defer its settlement for at least twelve months after the Balance Sheet/reporting date, will have to be
classified as current.
7.1.8. The application of this criterion could be critical to the Financial Statements of a company and
requires careful evaluation of the various terms and conditions of a loan liability. To illustrate, let us
understand how this requirement will apply to the following example:
Company X has taken a five year loan. The loan contains certain debt covenants, e.g., filing of
quarterly information, failing which the bank can recall the loan and demand repayment thereof. The
company has not filed such information in the last quarter; as a result of which the bank has the right to
recall the loan. However, based on the past experience and/or based on the discussions with the bank
the management believes that default is minor and the bank will not demand the repayment of loan.
According to the definition of Current Liability, what is important is, whether a borrower has an
unconditional right at the Balance Sheet date to defer the settlement
irrespective of the nature of default and whether or not a bank can exercise its right to recall the loan. If
the borrower does not have such right, the classification would be current. It is pertinent to note that
as per the terms and conditions of the aforesaid loan, the loan was not repayable on demand from day
one. The loan became repayable on demand only on default in the debt covenant and bank has not
demanded the repayment of loan up to the date of approval of the accounts. In the Indian context, the
criteria of a loan becoming repayable on demand on breach of a covenant, is generally added in the
terms and conditions as a matter of abundant caution. Also, banks generally do not demand repayment
of loans on such minor defaults of debt covenants. Therefore, in such situations, the companies
generally continue to repay the loan as per its original terms and conditions. Hence, considering that
the practical implications of such minor breach are negligible in the Indian scenario, an entity could
continue to classify the loan as non-current as on the Balance Sheet date since the loan is not
actually demanded by the bank at any time prior to the date on which the Financial Statements are
approved. However, in case a bank has recalled the loan before the date of approval of the accounts
on breach of a loan covenant that occurred before the year-end, the loan will have to be classified as
current. Further, the above situation should not be confused with a loan which is repayable on demand

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from day one. For such loans, even if the lender does not demand repayment of the loan at any time,
the same would have to be continued to be classified as current.
7.2. The term Operating Cycle is defined as the time between the acquisition of assets for processing
and their realization in Cash or cash equivalents. A companys normal operating cycle may be longer
than twelve months e.g. companies manufacturing wines, etc. However, where the normal operating
cycle cannot be identified, it is assumed to have a duration of twelve months.
7.2.1. Where a company is engaged in running multiple businesses, the operating cycle could be
different for each line of business. Such a company will have to classify all the assets and liabilities of
the respective businesses into current and non-current, depending upon the operating cycles for the
respective businesses.
Let us consider the following other examples:
1.

A company has excess finished goods inventory that it does not expect to realize within the
companys operating cycle of fifteen months. Since such finished goods inventory is held
primarily for the purpose of being traded, the same should be classified as current.

2.

A company has sold 10,000 tonnes of steel to its customer. The sale contract provides for a
normal credit period of three months. The companys operating cycle is six months. However,
the company does not expect to receive the payment within twelve months from the reporting
date. Therefore, the same should be classified as Non-Current in the Balance Sheet. In case,
the company expects to realize the amount upto 12 months from the Balance Sheet date
(though beyond operating cycle), the same should be classified as current.

7.3. For the purpose of Revised Schedule VI, a company also needs to classify its employee benefit
obligations as current and non-current categories. While AS-15 Employee Benefits governs the
measurement of various employee benefit obligations, their classification as current and noncurrent
liabilities will be governed by the criteria laid down in the Revised Schedule VI. In accordance with
these criteria, a liability is classified as current if a company does not have an unconditional right as
on the Balance Sheet date to defer its settlement for twelve months after the reporting date. Each
company will need to apply these criteria to its specific facts and circumstances and decide an
appropriate classification of its employee benefit obligations. Given below is an illustrative example on
application of these criteria in a simple situation:
(a)

Liability toward bonus, etc., payable within one year from the Balance Sheet date is classified as
current.

(b)

In case of accumulated leave outstanding as on the reporting date, the employees have already
earned the right to avail the leave and they are normally entitled to avail the leave at any time
during the year. To the extent, the employee has unconditional right to avail the leave, the same
needs to be classified as current even though the same is measured as other long-term
employee benefit as per AS-15. However, whether the right to defer the employees leave is
available unconditionally with the company needs to be evaluated on a case to case basis
based on the terms of Employee Contract and Leave Policy, Employers right to postpone/deny
the leave, restriction to avail leave in the next year for a maximum number of days, etc. In case of
such complexities the amount of Non-current and Current portions of leave obligation should
normally be determined by a qualified Actuary.

(c)

Regarding funded post-employment benefit obligations, amount due for payment to the fund
created for this purpose within twelve months is treated as current liability. Regarding the
unfunded post-employment benefit obligations, a company will have settlement obligation at the
Balance Sheet date or within twelve months for employees such as those who have already

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resigned or are expected to resign (which is factored for actuarial valuation) or are due for
retirement within the next twelve months from the Balance Sheet date. Thus, the amount of
obligation attributable to these employees is a current liability. The remaining amount
attributable to other employees, who are likely to continue in the services for more than a year, is
classified as non-current liability. Normally the actuary should determine the amount of current &
non-current liability for unfunded post-employment benefit obligation based on the definition of
Current and Non-current assets and liabilities in the Revised Schedule VI.
7.4. The Revised Schedule VI requires Investments to be classified as Current and Non-Current.
However, AS 13 Accounting for Investments requires to classify Investments as Current and LongTerm. As per AS 13, current investment is an investment that is by its nature readily realisable and is
intended to be held for not more than one year from the date on which such investment is made. A
long-term investment is an investment other than a current investment.
7.4.1. Accordingly, as per AS-13, the assessment of whether an Investment is Long-term has to be
made with respect to the date of Investment whereas, as per the Revised Schedule VI, Non-current
Investment has to be determined with respect to the Balance Sheet date.
7.4.2. Though the Revised Schedule VI clarifies that the Accounting Standards would prevail over itself
in case of any inconsistency between the two, it is pertinent to note that AS-13 does not lay down
presentation norms, though it requires disclosures to be made for Current and Long-term Investments.
Accordingly, presentation of all investments in the Balance Sheet should be made based on
Current/Non-current classification as defined in the Revised Schedule VI. The portion of long-term
investment as per AS 13 which is expected to be realized within twelve months from the Balance Sheet
date needs to be shown as Current investment under the Revised Schedule VI.

7.5. Settlement of a liability by issuing of equity


7.5.1. The Revised Schedule VI clarifies that, the terms of a liability that could, at the option of the
counterparty, result in its settlement by the issue of equity instruments do not affect its classification. A
consequence of this is that if the conversion option in convertible debt is exercisable by the holder at
any time, the liability cannot be classified as current if the maturity for cash settlement is greater than
one year. A question therefore arises as to how does the aforesaid requirement affect the classification
of items for say,
a) convertible debt where the conversion option lies with the issuer, or b) mandatorily convertible
debt instrument.
7.5.2. Based on the specific exemption granted only to those cases where the conversion option is with
the counterparty, the same should not be extended to other cases where such option lies with the
issuer or is a mandatorily convertible instrument. For all such cases, conversion of a liability into equity
should be considered as a means of settlement of the liability as defined in the Framework For the
Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements issued by ICAI. Accordingly, the timing of such
settlement would also decide the classification of such liability in terms of Current or Non-current as
defined in the Revised Schedule VI.
7.6 As per the classification in the Revised Schedule VI and in line with the ICAIs earlier
announcement with regard to the presentation and classification of net Deferred Tax asset or liability,
the same should always be classified as non-current.

8. Part I: Form of Balance Sheet and Note 6 to General Instructions for


Preparation of Balance Sheet
As per the Framework for The Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements, asset, liability and

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equity are defined as follows:
An asset is a resource controlled by the enterprise as a result of past events from which future
economic benefits are expected to flow to the enterprise.
A liability is a present obligation of the enterprise arising from past events, the settlement of which is
expected to result in an outflow from the enterprise of resources embodying economic benefits.
Equity is the residual interest in the assets of the enterprise after deducting all its liabilities.
I.

Equity and Liabilities

8.1.

Shareholders Funds

Under this head, following line items are to be disclosed:

Share Capital;

Reserves and Surplus;

Money received against share warrants.

8.1.1. Share capital


8.1.1.1. Notes to the General Instructions require a company to disclose in the Notes to Accounts line
items/sub-line items referred to in Notes 6A to 6Q. Clauses (a) to (l) of Note 6 A deal with disclosures
for Share Capital and such disclosures are required for each class of share capital (different classes of
preference shares to be treated separately).
8.1.1.2. As per ICAI Guidance Note on Terms Used in Financial Statements, Capital refers to the
amount invested in an enterprise by its owners e.g. paid-up share capital in a corporate enterprise. It is
also used to refer to the interest of owners in the assets of an enterprise.
8.1.1.3. The said Guidance Note defines Share Capital as the aggregate amount of money paid or
credited as paid on the shares and/or stocks of a corporate enterprise.
8.1.1.4. In respect of disclosure requirements for Share Capital, the Revised Schedule VI states that
different classes of preference share capital to be treated separately. A question arises whether the
preference shares should be presented as share capital only or does it mean that a company
compulsorily needs to decide whether preference shares are liability or equity based on its economic
substance using AS 31 Financial Instruments: Presentation principles and present the same
accordingly. The Revised Schedule VI deals only with presentation and disclosure requirements.
Accounting for various items is governed by the applicable Accounting Standards. However, since
Accounting Standards AS 30 Financial Instruments : Recognition and Measurement, AS 31 and AS 32
Financial Instruments: Disclosures are yet to be notified and Section 85(1) of the Act refers to
Preference Shares as a kind of share capital, Preference Shares will have to be classified as Share
Capital.
8.1.1.5. Presently, in the Indian context, generally, there are two kinds of share capital namely - Equity
and Preference. Within Equity/Preference Share Capital, there could be different classes of shares,
say, Equity Shares with or without voting rights, Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares,
Optionally Convertible Preference Shares, etc. If the preference shares are to be disclosed under the
head Share Capital, until the same are actually redeemed, they should continue to be shown under
the head Share Capital. Preference shares of which redemption is overdue should continue to be
disclosed under the head Share Capital.
8.1.1.6. Clause (a) of Note 6A - the number and amount of shares authorized :
As per the Guidance Note on Terms Used in Financial Statements Authorised Share Capital means

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the number and par value, of each class of shares that an enterprise may issue in accordance with its
instrument of incorporation. This is sometimes referred to as nominal share capital.
8.1.1.7. Clause (b) of Note 6A - the number of shares issued, subscribed and fully paid, and
subscribed but not fully paid:
The disclosure is for shares:

Issued;

Subscribed and fully paid;

Subscribed but not fully paid.

Though the disclosure is only for the number of shares, to make the disclosure relevant to
understanding the companys share capital, even the amount for each category should be disclosed.
Issued shares are those which are offered for subscription within the authorised limit. It is possible that
all shares offered are not subscribed to and to the extent of unsubscribed portion, there will be
difference between shares issued and subscribed. As per the Guidance Note on Terms Used in
Financial Statements, the expression Subscribed Share Capital is that portion of the issued share
capital which has actually been subscribed and allotted. This includes any bonus shares issued to the
shareholders.
Though there is no requirement to disclose the amount per share called, if shares are not fully called, it
would be appropriate to state the amount per share called. As per the definition contained in the
Guidance Note on Terms Used in Financial Statements, the expression Paid-up Share Capital is that
part of the subscribed share capital for which consideration in cash or otherwise has been received.
This includes bonus shares allotted by the corporate enterprise. As per the Old Schedule VI, debit
balance on the allotment or call account is presented in the Balance Sheet not as an asset but by way
of deduction from Called-up Capital. However, as required by Clause (k) of Note 6A of the Revised
Schedule VI, calls unpaid are to be disclosed separately as per the Revised Schedule VI.
However, the unpaid amount towards shares subscribed by the subscribers of the Memorandum of
Association should be considered as 'subscribed and paid-up capital' in the Balance Sheet and the
debts due from the subscriber should be appropriately disclosed as an asset in the balance sheet.
8.1.1.8. Clause (c) of Note 6A par value per share:
Par value per share is the face value of a share as indicated in the Capital Clause of the Memorandum
of Association of a company. It is also referred to as face value per share. In the case of a company
having share capital, (unless the company is an unlimited company), the Memorandum shall also state
the amount of share capital with which the company is registered and their division thereof into shares
of fixed amount as required under clause (a) to the sub-section (4) of section 13 of the Act. In the case
of a company limited by guarantee, Memorandum shall state that each member undertakes to
contribute to the assets of the company in the event of winding-up while he is a member or within one
year after he ceases to be a member, for payment of debts and liabilities of the company, as the case
may be. There is no specific mention for the disclosure by companies limited by guarantee and having
share capital, and companies limited by guarantee and not having share capital. Such companies need
to consider the requirement so as to disclose the amount each member undertakes to contribute as per
their Memorandum of Association.
8.1.1.9. Clause (d) of Note 6A - a reconciliation of the number of shares outstanding at the
beginning and at the end of the reporting period :
As per the Revised Schedule VI, opening number of shares outstanding, shares issued, shares bought

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back, other movements, etc. during the year and closing number of outstanding shares should be
shown. Though the requirement is only for a reconciliation of the number of shares, as given for the
disclosure of issued, subscribed capital, etc. [Clause (b) of Note 6A] above, to make the disclosure
relevant for understanding the companys share capital, the reconciliation is to be given even for the
amount of share capital. Reconciliation for the comparative previous period is also to be given. Further,
the above reconciliation should be disclosed separately for both Equity and Preference Shares and for
each class of share capital within Equity and Preference Shares.
8.1.1.10. Clause (e) of Note 6A - the rights, preferences and restrictions attaching to each class
of shares including restrictions on the distribution of dividends and the repayment of capital.
As per the Guidance Note on Terms Used in Financial Statement, the expression Preference Share
Capital means that part of the share capital of a corporate enterprise which enjoys preferential rights
in respect of payments of fixed dividend and repayment of capital. Preference shares may also have
full or partial participating rights in surplus profits or surplus capital. The rights, preferences and
restrictions attached to shares are based on the classes of shares, terms of issue, etc., whether equity
or preference. In respect of Equity Share Capital, it may be with voting rights or with differential voting
rights as to dividend, voting or otherwise in accordance with such rules and subject to such conditions
as may be prescribed under Companies (Issue of Share Capital with Differential Voting Rights) Rules,
2001. In respect of Preference shares, the rights include (a) as respects dividend, a preferential right to
be paid a fixed amount or at a fixed rate and, (b) as respects capital, a preferential right of repayment
of amount of capital on winding up. Further, Preference shares can be cumulative, noncumulative,
redeemable, convertible, non-convertible etc. All such rights, preferences and restrictions attached to
each class of preference shares, terms of redemption, etc. have to be disclosed separately.
8.1.1.11. Clause (f) of Note 6A - shares in respect of each class in the company held by its
holding company or its ultimate holding company including shares held by or by subsidiaries or
associates of the holding company or the ultimate holding company in aggregate :
The requirement is to disclose shares of the company held by

Its holding company;

Its ultimate holding company;

Subsidiaries of its holding company;

Subsidiaries of its ultimate holding company;

Associates of its holding company; and

Associates of its ultimate holding company.

Aggregation should be done for each of the above categories.


The terms subsidiary, holding company and associate should be understood as defined under AS21, Consolidated Financial Statements and AS-18, Related Party Disclosures. Based on the aforesaid
definitions, for the purposes of the above disclosures, shares held by the entire chain of subsidiaries
and associates starting from the holding company and ending right up to the ultimate holding company
would have to be disclosed. Further, all the above disclosures need to be made separately for each
class of shares, both within Equity and Preference Shares.
8.1.1.12. Clause (g) of Note 6A -shares in the company held by each shareholder holding more
than 5 percent shares specifying the number of shares held:
In the absence of any specific indication of the date of holding, the date for computing such percentage
should be taken as the Balance Sheet date. For example, if during the year, any shareholder held more

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than 5% Equity shares but does not hold as much at the Balance Sheet date, disclosure is not required.
Though it is not specified as to whether the disclosure is required for each class of shares or not,
companies should disclose the shareholding for each class of shares, both within Equity and
Preference Shares. Accordingly, such percentage should be computed separately for each class of
shares outstanding within Equity and Preference Shares. This information should also be given for the
comparative previous period.
8.1.1.13. Clause (h) of Note 6A - shares reserved for issue under options and
contracts/commitments for the sale of shares/ disinvestment, including the terms and amounts :
Shares under options generally arise under promoters or collaboration agreements, loan agreements or
debenture deeds (including convertible debentures), agreement to convert preference shares into
equity shares, ESOPs or contracts for supply of capital goods, etc. The disclosure would be required
for the number of shares, amounts and other terms for shares so reserved. Such options are in respect
of unissued portion of share capital.
8.1.1.14. Clause (i) of Note 6A For the period of five years immediately preceding the date as at
which the Balance Sheet is prepared : (a) Aggregate number and class of shares allotted as fully
paid up pursuant to contract(s) without payment being received in cash. (b) Aggregate number
and class of shares allotted as fully paid up by way of bonus shares. (c) Aggregate number and
class of shares bought back.
(a)

Aggregate number and class of shares allotted as fully paid up pursuant to contract(s) without
payment being received in cash.
The following allotments are considered as shares allotted for payment being received in cash
and not as without payment being received in cash and accordingly, the same are not to be
disclosed under this Clause:
(i) If the subscription amount is adjusted against a bona fide debt payable in money at once by
the company;
(ii) Conversion of loan into shares in the event of default in repayment.
(b)
Aggregate number and class of shares allotted as fully paid up by way of bonus shares.
As per the Guidance Note on Terms Used in Financial Statements Bonus shares are defined as
shares allotted by capitalisation of the reserves or surplus of a corporate enterprise. The
requirement of disclosing the source of bonus shares is omitted in the Revised Schedule VI.
(c)
Aggregate number and class of shares bought back.
The total number of shares bought back for each class of shares needs to be disclosed.
All the above details pertaining to aggregate number and class of shares allotted for consideration
other than cash, bonus shares and shares bought back need to be disclosed only if such event has
occurred during a period of five years immediately preceding the Balance Sheet date. Since disclosure
is for the aggregate number of shares, it is not necessary to give the year-wise break-up of the shares
allotted or bought back, but the aggregate number for the last five financial years needs to be
disclosed.
8.1.1.15. Clause (j) of Note 6A - Terms of any securities convertible into equity/preference shares
issued along with the earliest date of conversion in descending order starting from the farthest
such date:
This disclosure would cover securities, such as Convertible Preference Shares, Convertible
Debentures/bonds, etc. optionally or otherwise into equity.
Under this Clause, disclosure is required for any security, when it is either convertible into equity or

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preference shares. In this case, terms of such securities and the earliest date of conversion are
required to be disclosed. If there are more than one date of conversion, disclosure is to be made in the
descending order of conversion. If the option can be exercised in different periods then earlier date in
that period is to be considered. In case of compulsorily convertible securities, where conversion is done
in fixed tranches, all the dates of conversion have to be considered. Terms of convertible securities are
required to be disclosed under this Clause. However, in case of Convertible debentures/bonds, etc., for
the purpose of simplification, reference may also be made to the terms disclosed under the note on
Long-term borrowings where these are required to be classified in the Balance Sheet, rather than
disclosing the same again under this clause.
8.1.1.16. Clause (k) of Note 6(A) - Calls unpaid (showing aggregate value of calls unpaid by
directors and officers):
A separate disclosure is required for the aggregate value of calls unpaid by directors and also officers
of the company. The Old Schedule VI required disclosures of calls due by directors only. The total calls
unpaid should be disclosed. The terms director and officer should be interpreted based on the
definitions in the Act.
Note 6(B) of the General Instructions deals with the disclosures of Reserves and Surplus in the Notes
to Accounts and the classification thereof under the various types of reserves.
8.1.2.1. Reserve:
The Guidance Note on Terms Used in Financial Statements defines the term Reserve as the portion
of earnings, receipts or other surplus of an enterprise (whether capital or revenue) appropriated by the
management for a general or a specific purpose other than a provision for depreciation or diminution in
the value of assets or for a known liability. Reserves should be distinguished from provisions. For
this purpose, reference may be made to the definition of the expression `provision in AS-29 Provisions,
Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets.
As per AS-29, a `provision is a liability which can be measured only by using a substantial degree of
estimation. A liability is a present obligation of the enterprise arising from past events, the settlement
of which is expected to result in an outflow from the enterprise of resources embodying economic
benefits. 'Present obligation an obligation is a present obligation if, based on the evidence
available, its existence at the Balance Sheet date is considered probable, i.e., more likely than not.
8.1.2.2. Capital Reserves:
It is necessary to make a distinction between capital reserves and revenue reserves in the accounts. A
revenue reserve is a reserve which is available for distribution through the Statement of Profit and
Loss. The term Capital Reserve has not been defined under the Revised Schedule VI. However, as
per the Guidance Note on Terms Used in Financial Statements, the expression capital reserve is
defined as a reserve of a corporate enterprise which is not available for distribution as dividend.
Though the Revised Schedule VI does not have the requirement of transferring capital profit on
reissue of forfeited shares to capital reserve, since profit on re-issue of forfeited shares is basically
profit of a capital nature and, hence, it should be credited to capital reserve.
8.1.2.3. Capital Redemption Reserve:
Under the Act, Capital Redemption Reserve is required to be created in the following two situations:
a)

Under the provisions of Section 80 of the Act, where the redemption of preference shares is out
of profits, an amount equal to nominal value of shares redeemed is to be transferred to a
reserve called capital redemption reserve.

b)

Under Section 77AA of the Act, if the buy-back of shares is out of free reserves, the nominal

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value of the shares so purchased is required to be transferred to capital redemption reserve from
distributable profit.
8.1.2.4. Securities Premium Reserve:
The Guidance Note of Terms Used in Financial Statements defines Share Premium as the excess of
the issue price of shares over their face value. Though the terminology used in the Revised Schedule
VI is Securities Premium Reserve the nomenclature as per the Act is Securities Premium Account.
Accordingly, the terminology of the Act should be used.
8.1.2.5. Debenture Redemption Reserve:
According to Section 117C of the Act where a company issues debentures after the commencement of
this Act, it is required to create a debenture redemption reserve for the redemption of such debentures.
The company is required to credit adequate amounts, from out of its profits every year to debenture
redemption reserve, until such debentures are redeemed.
On redemption of the debentures for which the reserve is created, the amounts no longer necessary to
be retained in this account need to be transferred to the General Reserve.
8.1.2.6. Revaluation Reserve:
As per the Guidance Note of Terms Used in Financial Statements, Revaluation reserve is a reserve
created on the revaluation of assets or net assets of an enterprise represented by the surplus of the
estimated replacement cost or estimated market values over the book values thereof.
Accordingly, if a company has carried out revaluation of its assets, the corresponding amount would be
disclosed as Revaluation Reserve
8.1.2.7. Share Options Outstanding Account:
Presently, as per the Guidance Note on Accounting for Employee Share-based Payments, Stock
Options Outstanding Account is shown as a separate line-item. The Revised Schedule VI requires this
item to be shown as a part of Reserve and Surplus.
8.1.2.8. Other Reserves (specify the nature and purpose of reserve and the amount in respect
thereof) :
Every other reserve which is not covered in the paragraphs 8.1.2.2 to 8.1.2.7 is to be reflected as
`Other Reserves. However, since the nature, purpose and the amount are to be shown, each reserve
is to be shown separately. This would include reserves to be created under other statutes like Tonnage
Tax Reserve to be created under the Income Tax Act, 1961.
8.1.2.9. Surplus i.e. balance in Statement of Profit and Loss disclosing allocations and
appropriations such as dividend, bonus shares and transfer to/from reserves, etc.
Appropriations to the profit for the year (including carried forward balance) is to be presented under the
main head Reserves and Surplus. Unlike the current prevalent practice, under the Revised Schedule
VI, the Statement of Profit and Loss will no longer reflect any appropriations, like dividends transferred
to Reserves, bonus shares, etc.
Please also refer to the discussion in Para 10.9 below.

Now Schedule III to the Companies Act, 2013.

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8.1.2.10. Additions and deductions since the last Balance Sheet to be shown under each of the
specified heads:
This requires the company to disclose the movement in each of the reserves and surplus since the last
Balance Sheet.
Please refer to Para 10.9 of this Guidance note.
1. 8.1.2.11 As per Revised Schedule VI, a reserve specifically represented by earmarked
investments shall be termed as a fund
2.

8.1.2.12 Debit balance in the Statement of Profit and Loss and in Reserves and Surplus:

Debit balance in the Statement of Profit and Loss which would arise in case of accumulated losses, is
to be shown as a negative figure under the head Surplus. The aggregate amount of the balance of
Reserves and Surplus, is to be shown after adjusting negative balance of surplus, if any. If the net
result is negative, the negative figure is to be shown under the head Reserves and Surplus.
8.1.3. Money received against Share Warrants
Generally, in case of listed companies, share warrants are issued to promoters and others in terms of
the Guidelines for preferential issues viz., SEBI (Issue of Capital and Disclosure Requirements),
Guidelines, 2009. AS 20 Earning Per Share notified under the Companies (Accounting Standards)
Rules, 2006 defines share warrants as financial instruments which give the holder the right to acquire
equity shares. Thus, effectively, share warrants are nothing but the amount which would ultimately
form part of the Shareholders funds. Since shares are yet to be allotted against the same, these are
not reflected as part of Share Capital but as a separate line-item Money received against share
warrants.
8.2.

Share Application Money pending allotment

8.2.1. Share Application money pending allotment is to be disclosed as a separate line item on the face
of Balance Sheet between Shareholders Funds and Non-current Liabilities. Share application
money not exceeding the issued capital and to the extent not refundable is to be disclosed under this
line item. If the companys issued capital is more than the authorized capital and approval of increase
in authorized capital is pending, the amount of share application money received over and above the
authorized capital should be shown under the head Other Current Liabilities.
8.2.2. Clause (g) of Notes 6G lists various circumstances and specifies the information to be disclosed
in respect of share application money. However, amount shown as share application money pending
allotment will not include share application money to the extent refundable. For example, the amount in
excess of issued capital, or where minimum subscription requirement is not met. Such amount will have
to be shown separately under Other Current Liabilities.
8.2.3. Various disclosure requirements pertaining to Share Application Money are as follows:

terms and conditions;

number of shares proposed to be issued;

the amount of premium, if any;

the period before which shares are to be allotted;

whether the company has sufficient authorized share capital to cover the share capital amount on
allotment of shares out of share application money;

Interest accrued on amount due for refund;

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Part III: Guidance Notes III-125

The period for which the share application money has been pending beyond the period for
allotment as mentioned in the share application form along with the reasons for such share
application money being pending.

The above disclosures should be made in respect of amounts classified under both Equity as well as
Current Liabilities, wherever applicable.
8.2.4. As per power given under section 92 of the Act, a company, if so authorized by its Articles, may
accept from any member the whole or a part of the amount remaining unpaid on any shares held by
him, although no part of that amount has been called up. The shareholder who has paid the money in
advance is not a creditor for the amount so paid as advance, as the same cannot be demanded for
repayment and the company cannot pay him back unless Articles so provide. The amount of calls paid
in advance does not form part of the paid-up capital. The Department of Company Affairs has clarified
that it is better to show Calls in Advance under the head Current Liabilities and Provisions (Letter
No. 8/16(1)/61-PR, dated 9.5.1961). Thus, under the Revised Schedule VI, calls paid in advance are to
be reflected under Other Current Liabilities. The amount of interest which may accrue on such
advance should also is to be reflected as a liability.
8.2.5. Share application money pending allotment is required to be shown as a separate line item on
the face of the Balance Sheet after Shareholders Funds. However, under Other current liabilities
there is a statement that Share application money not exceeding the issued capital and to the extent
not refundable shall be shown under the head Equity. The two requirements appear to be conflicting.
However, from the format as set out in the Schedule, it appears that the Regulators intention is to
specifically highlight the amount of Share application money pending allotment, though they may be, in
substance, in nature of Equity. Accordingly, the equity element should continue to be disclosed on the
face of the Balance Sheet as a separate line item, rather than as a component of Shareholders Funds.
8.3. Non-current liabilities
A liability shall be classified as current when it satisfies any of the following criteria:
(a)

it is expected to be settled in the companys normal operating cycle;

(b)

it is held primarily for the purpose of being traded;

(c)

it is due to be settled within twelve months after the reporting date; or

(d)

the company does not have an unconditional right to defer settlement of the liability for at least
twelve months after the reporting date. Terms of a liability that could, at the option of the
counterparty, result in its settlement by the issue of equity instruments do not affect its
classification.

All other liabilities shall be classified as non-current.


Based on the above definitions, on the face of the Balance Sheet, the following items shall be disclosed
under non-current liabilities.

Long-term borrowings;

Deferred tax liabilities (Net);

Other Long-term liabilities;

Long-term provisions.

8.3.1. Long-term borrowings:


8.3.1.1. Long-term borrowings shall be classified as:

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(a) Bonds/debentures;
(b) Term loans;

from banks;

from other parties;

(c) Deferred payment liabilities;


(d) Deposits;
(e) Loans and advances from related parties;
(f) Long term maturities of finance lease obligations;
(g) Other loans and advances (specify nature).
8.3.1.2. Borrowings shall further be sub-classified as secured and unsecured. Nature of security shall
be specified separately in each case.
8.3.1.3. Where loans have been guaranteed by directors or others, the aggregate amount of such loans
under each head shall be disclosed. The word others used in the phrase directors or others would
mean any person or entity other than a director. Therefore, this is not restricted to mean only related
parties. However, in the normal course, a person or entity guaranteeing a loan of a company will
generally be associated with the company in some manner.
8.3.1.4. Bonds/debentures (along with the rate of interest and particulars of redemption or conversion,
as the case may be) shall be stated in descending order of maturity or conversion, starting from
farthest redemption or conversion date, as the case may be. Where bonds/debentures are redeemable
by installments, the date of maturity for this purpose must be reckoned as the date on which the first
installment becomes due.
8.3.1.5. Particulars of any redeemed bonds/ debentures which the company has power to reissue shall
be disclosed.
8.3.1.6. Period and amount of continuing default as on the Balance Sheet date in repayment of loans
and interest shall be specified separately in each case.
8.3.1.7. The phrase "long-term" has not been defined. However, the definition of non-current liability in
the Revised Schedule VI may be used as long-term liability for the above disclosure. Also, the phrase
"term loan" has not been defined in the Revised Schedule VI. Term loans normally have a fixed or predetermined maturity period or a repayment schedule.
8.3.1.8. As referred to in the 2005 edition of the ICAI Statement on Companies (Auditors Report)
Order, 2003 (CARO) in the banking industry, for example, loans with repayment period beyond thirty
six months are usually known as term loans. Cash credit, overdraft and call money accounts/ deposit
are, therefore, not covered by the expression terms loans. Term loans are generally provided by
banks and financial institutions for acquisition of capital assets which then become the security for the
loan, i.e., end use of funds is normally fixed.
8.3.1.9 Deferred payment liabilities would include any liability for which payment is to be made on
deferred credit terms. E.g. deferred sales tax liability, deferred payment for acquisition of fixed assets
etc.
8.3.1.10 The current maturities of all long-term borrowings will be disclosed under other current
liabilities and not under long-term borrowings and short-term borrowings. Hence, it is possible that the
same bonds / debentures / term loans may be bifurcated under both long-term borrowings as well as
under other current liabilities. Further, long-term borrowings are to be subclassified as secured and

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unsecured giving the nature of the security for the secured position.
8.3.1.11 The Revised Schedule VI also stipulates that the nature of security shall be specified
separately in each case. A blanket disclosure of different securities covering all loans classified under
the same head such as All Term loans from banks will not suffice. However, where one security is
given for multiple loans, the same may be clubbed together for disclosure purposes with adequate
details or cross referencing.
8.3.1.12 The disclosure about the nature of security should also cover the type of asset given as
security e.g. inventories, plant and machinery, land and building, etc. This is because the extent to
which loan is secured may vary with the nature of asset against which it is secured.
8.3.1.13 When promoters, other shareholders or any third party have given any personal security for
any borrowing, such as shares or other assets held by them, disclosure should be made thereof,
though such security does not result in the classification of such borrowing as secured.
8.3.1.14 The Revised Schedule VI requires that under the head Borrowings, period and amount of
continuing default (in case of long-term borrowing) and default (in case of short-term borrowing) as on
the Balance Sheet date in repayment of loans and interest shall be specified separately in each case".
The word loan has been used in a more generic sense. Hence, the disclosures relating to default
should be made for all items listed under the category of borrowings such as bonds/ debentures,
deposits, deferred payment liabilities, finance lease obligations, etc. and not only to items classified as
loans such as term loans, or loans and advances ,etc.
8.3.1.15 Also, a company need not disclose information for defaults other than in respect of repayment
of loan and interest, e.g., compliance with debt covenants. The Revised Schedule VI requires specific
disclosures only for default in repayment of loans and interest and not for other defaults.
8.3.1.16 Though two different terms, viz., continuing default (in case of long-term borrowing) and
default (in case of short-term borrowing) have been used, the requirement should be taken to disclose
default as on the Balance Sheet date in both the cases. Pursuant to this requirement, details of any
default in repayment of loan and interest existing as on the Balance Sheet date needs to be separately
disclosed. Any default that had occurred during the year and was subsequently made good before the
end of the year does not need to be disclosed.
8.3.1.17 Terms of repayment of term loans and other loans shall be disclosed. The term other loans is
used in general sense and should be interpreted to mean all categories listed under the heading Longterm borrowings as per Revised Schedule VI. Disclosure of terms of repayment should be made
preferably for each loan unless the repayment terms of individual loans within a category are similar, in
which case, they may be aggregated.
8.3.1.18 Disclosure of repayment terms should include the period of maturity with respect to the
Balance Sheet date, number and amount of instalments due, the applicable rate of interest and other
significant relevant terms if any.
8.3.1.19 Deposits classified under Borrowings would include deposits accepted from public and inter
corporate deposits which are in the nature of borrowings.
8.3.1.20 Loans and advances from related parties are required to be disclosed. Advances under this
head should include those advances which are in the nature of loans.
8.4. Other Long-term liabilities
This should be classified into:
a) Trade payables; and b) Others.

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8.4.1 A payable shall be classified as 'trade payable' if it is in respect of amount due on account of
goods purchased or services received in the normal course of business. As per the Old Schedule VI,
the term 'sundry creditors included amounts due in respect of goods purchased or services received or
in respect of other contractual obligations as well. Hence, amounts due under contractual obligations
can no longer be included within Trade payables. Such items may include dues payables in respect of
statutory obligations like contribution to provident fund, purchase of fixed assets, contractually
reimbursable expenses, interest accrued on trade payables, etc. Such payables should be classified as
"others" and each such item should be disclosed nature-wise. However, Acceptances should be
disclosed as part of trade payables in terms of the Revised Schedule VI.
8.4.2 The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006 however, requires
specified disclosures to be made in the annual Financial Statements of the buyer wherever such
Financial Statements are required to be audited under any law. Though not specifically required by the
Revised Schedule VI, such disclosures will still be required to be made in the annual Financial
Statements.
8.4.3 The following disclosures are required under Sec 22 of MSMED Act 2006 under the Chapter on
Delayed Payments to Micro and Small Enterprises:
(a)

the principal amount and the interest due thereon (to be shown separately) remaining unpaid to
any supplier as at the end of accounting year;

(b)

the amount of interest paid by the buyer under MSMED Act, 2006 along with the amounts of the
payment made to the supplier beyond the appointed day during each accounting year;

(c)

the amount of interest due and payable for the period (where the principal has been paid but
interest under the MSMED Act, 2006 not paid);

(d)

the amount of interest accrued and remaining unpaid at the end of accounting year; and

(e)

the amount of further interest due and payable even in the succeeding year, until such date when
the interest dues as above are actually paid to the small enterprise, for the purpose of
disallowance as a deductible expenditure under section 23.

The terms ''appointed day'', ''buyer'', ''enterprise'', ''micro enterprise'', ''small enterprise'' and ''supplier'',
shall be as defined under clauses (b), (d), (e), (h), (m) and (n) respectively of section 2 of the Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises Development Act, 2006.
8.5.

Long-Term Provisions

8.5.1 This should be classified into provision for employee benefits and others specifying the nature.
Provision for employee benefits should be bifurcated into long-term (non-current) and other current and
the long-term portion is disclosed under this para. All long-term provisions, other than those related to
employee benefits should be disclosed separately based on their nature. Such items would include
Provision for warranties etc. While AS-15 Employee Benefits governs the measurement of various
employee benefit obligations, their classification as current and non-current liability will be governed by
the criteria laid down in the Revised Schedule VI. Accordingly, a liability is classified as current if a
company does not have an unconditional right as on the Balance Sheet date to defer its settlement for
12 months after the reporting date. Each company will need to apply these criteria to its specific facts
and circumstances and decide an appropriate classification for its employee benefit obligations.
8.6.

Current Liabilities

This should be classified on the face of the Balance Sheet as follows:

Short-term borrowings;

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Part III: Guidance Notes III-129

Trade payables;

Other current liabilities;

Short-term provisions.

8.6.1. Short-term borrowings


8.6.1.1. (i) Short-term borrowings shall be classified as:
(a) Loans repayable on demand

from banks;

from other parties.


(b) Loans and advances from related parties;
(c) Deposits;
(d) Other loans and advances (specify nature).

(ii)

Borrowings shall further be sub-classified as secured and unsecured. Nature of security shall be
specified separately in each case.

(iii)

Where loans have been guaranteed by directors or others, the aggregate amount of such loans
under each head shall be disclosed.

(iv)

Period and amount of default as on the Balance Sheet date in repayment of loans and interest
shall be specified separately in each case.

8.6.1.2 Loans payable on demand should be treated as part of short-term borrowings. Short-term
borrowings will include all loans within a period of 12 months from the date of the loan. In the case of
short-term borrowings, all defaults existing as at the date of the Balance Sheet should be disclosed
(item-wise). Current maturity of long-term borrowings should not be classified as short-term borrowing.
They have to be classified under Other current liabilities. Guidance on disclosure on various matters
under this Para should also be drawn, to the extent possible, from the guidance given under Long-term
borrowings.
8.6.2. Trade payables
Guidance on disclosure under this clause should be drawn from the guidance given under Other Longterm borrowings to the extent applicable.
8.6.3. Other current liabilities
The amounts shall be classified as:
(a)

Current maturities of long-term debt;

(b)

Current maturities of finance lease obligations;

(c)

Interest accrued but not due on borrowings;

(d)

Interest accrued and due on borrowings;

(e)

Income received in advance;

(f)

Unpaid dividends;

(g)

Application money received for allotment of securities and due for refund and interest accrued
thereon;

(h)

Unpaid matured deposits and interest accrued thereon;

(i)

Unpaid matured debentures and interest accrued thereon;

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III-130 Accounting Pronouncements


(j)

Other payables (specify nature).

The portion of long term debts / lease obligations, which is due for payments within twelve months of
the reporting date is required to be classified under Other current liabilities while the balance amount
should be classified under Long-term borrowings.
Trade Deposits and Security Deposits which are not in the nature of borrowings should be classified
separately under Other Non-current/Current liabilities. Other Payables may be in the nature of statutory
dues such as Withholding taxes, Service Tax, VAT, Excise Duty etc.
8.6.4. Short-term provisions
The amounts shall be classified as:
(a) Provision for employee benefits;
(b) Others (specify nature).
Others would include all provisions other than provisions for employee benefits such as Provision for
dividend, Provision for taxation, Provision for warranties, etc. These amounts should be disclosed
separately specifying nature thereof.

II. Assets
8.7. Non-current assets Definition and Presentation
An asset shall be classified as current when it satisfies any of the following criteria:
(a)

it is expected to be realized in, or is intended for sale or consumption in the companys normal
operating cycle;

(b)

it is held primarily for the purpose of being traded;

(c)

it is expected to be realized within twelve months after the reporting date; or

(d)

it is Cash or cash equivalent unless it is restricted from being exchanged or used to settle a
liability for at least twelve months after the reporting date.

All other assets shall be classified as non-current. Based on the above definition, on the face of the
Balance Sheet, the following items shall be disclosed under non-current assets: (a)

Fixed Assets
(i)

Tangible assets;

(ii)

Intangible assets;

(iii) Capital work-in-progress;


(iv) Intangible assets under development
(b)

Non-current investments

(c)

Deferred tax assets (net)

(d)

Long-term loans and advances

(e)

Other non-current assets

8.7.1 Fixed Assets


Fixed assets are classified as:

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes III-131


Particulars

Relevant Accounting Standards as notified


under Companies (Accounting Standards)
Rules, 2006

1.

Tangible assets

AS 10, AS 6

2.

Intangible assets

AS 26

3.

Capital work-in-progress

AS 10

4.

Intangible assets under development

AS 26

S.
No.

8.7.1.1 Tangible Assets


The company shall disclose the following in the Notes to Accounts as per 6(I) of Part I of the Revised
Schedule VI.
(i)

(ii)

Classification shall be given as:


(a)

Land;

(b)

Buildings;

(c)

Plant and Equipment;

(d)

Furniture and Fixtures;

(e)

Vehicles;

(f)

Office equipment;

(g)

Others (specify nature).

Assets under lease shall be separately specified under each class of asset.
The term under lease should be taken to mean assets given on operating lease in the case of
lessor and assets held under finance lease in the case of lessee. Further, leasehold
improvements should continue to be shown as a separate asset class.

(iii)

A reconciliation of the gross and net carrying amounts of each class of assets at the beginning
and end of the reporting period showing additions, disposals, acquisitions through business
combinations and other adjustments and the related depreciation and impairment
losses/reversals shall be disclosed separately.

All acquisitions, whether by way of an asset acquisition or through a business combination are to be
disclosed as part of the reconciliation in the note on Fixed Assets. Acquisitions through Business
Combinations need to be disclosed separately for each class of assets. Similarly, though not
specifically required, it is advisable that asset disposals through demergers, etc. may also be disclosed
separately for each class of assets.
The term business combination has not been defined in the Act or the Accounting Standards as
notified under the Companies (Accounting Standards) Rules, 2006. However, related concepts have
been enumerated in AS 14 Accounting for Amalgamations and AS 10 Accounting for Fixed Assets.
Accordingly, such terminology should be interpreted to mean an amalgamation or acquisition or any
other mode of restructuring of a set of assets and/or a group of assets and liabilities constituting a
business.
Other adjustments should include items such as capitalization of exchange differences where such
option has been exercised by the Company as per AS 11 The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange
Rates and/or adjustments on account of exchange fluctuations for fixed assets in case of non-integral

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III-132 Accounting Pronouncements


operations as per AS 11 and/or borrowing costs capitalised in accordance with AS 16 Borrowing Costs.
Such adjustments should be disclosed separately for each class of assets.
Since reconciliation of gross and net carrying amounts of fixed assets is required, the corresponding
depreciation/amortization for each class of asset should be disclosed in terms of Opening Accumulated
Depreciation, Depreciation/amortization for the year, Deductions/Other adjustments and Closing
Accumulated Depreciation/Amortization. Similar disclosures should also be made for Impairment, if
any, as applicable.
(iv) Where any amounts have been written-off on a reduction of capital or revaluation of assets or
where sums have been added on revaluation of assets, every Balance Sheet subsequent to date
of such write-off or addition shall show the reduced or increased figures, as applicable.
Disclosure by way of a note would also be required to show the amount of the reduction or
increase, as applicable, together with the date thereof for the first five years subsequent to the
date of such reduction or increase.
The Revised Schedule VI has introduced office equipment as a separate line item while dropping items
like, live stock, railway sidings, etc. However, if the said items exist, the same should be disclosed
separate asset class specifying nature thereof.
The Revised Schedule does not prescribe any particular classification/ presentation for leasehold land.
AS 19 Leases, excludes land leases from its scope. The accounting treatment for leasehold land
should be continued with as is being currently followed under the prevailing Indian generally accepted
accounting principles and practices. Accordingly, Leasehold land should also continue to be presented
as a separate asset class under Tangible Assets. Also, Freehold land should continue to be presented
as a separate asset class.
AS 10 Accounting for Fixed Assets also requires a company to disclose details such as gross book
value of revalued assets, method adopted to compute revalued amounts, nature of indices used, year
of appraisal, involvement of external valuer as long as the concerned assets are held by the enterprise.
The Revised Schedule VI is clear that the disclosure requirements of the Accounting Standards are in
addition to disclosures required under the Schedule. Also, in case of any conflict, the Accounting
Standards will prevail over the Schedule. Keeping this in view, companies should make disclosures
required by the Revised Schedule VI only for five years. However, details required by AS 10 will have
to be given as long as the asset is held by the company.
However, it may be noted that, AS 26 Intangible Assets does not permit revaluation of intangible
assets.
8.7.1.2 Intangible assets
The company shall disclose the following in the Notes to Accounts as per 6(J) of Part I of the Revised
Schedule VI.
(i)

Classification shall be given as:


(a)

Goodwill;

(b)

Brands /trademarks;

(c)

Computer software;

(d)

Mastheads and publishing titles;

(e)

Mining rights;

(f)

Copyrights, and patents and other intellectual property rights, services and operating rights;

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes III-133


(g)

Recipes, formulae, models, designs and prototypes;

(h)

Licenses and franchise;

(i)

Others (specify nature).

(ii)

A reconciliation of the gross and net carrying amounts of each class of assets at the beginning
and end of the reporting period showing additions, disposals, acquisitions through business
combinations and other adjustments and the related amortization and impairment
losses/reversals shall be disclosed separately.

(iii)

Where sums have been written-off on a reduction of capital or revaluation of assets or where
sums have been added on revaluation of assets, every Balance Sheet subsequent to date of
such write-off, or addition shall show the reduced or increased figures as applicable and shall by
way of a note also show the amount of the reduction or increase, as applicable, together with the
date thereof for the first five years subsequent to the date of such reduction or increase.

Classification of intangible assets (as listed above) has been introduced under the Revised Schedule
VI, which did not exist earlier.
The guidance given above on Tangible Assets, to the extent applicable, is also to be used for
Intangible Assets.
8.7.1.3 Capital work-in-progress
As per the Revised Schedule VI, capital advances should be included under Long-term loans and
advances and hence, cannot be included under capital work-in-progress.
8.7.1.4 Intangible assets under development
Intangible assets under development should be disclosed under this head provided they can be
recognised based on the criteria laid down in AS 26 Intangible Assets.
8.7.2 Non-current investments
(i)

Non-current investments shall be classified as trade investments and other investments and
further classified as:
(a)

Investment property;

(b)

Investments in Equity Instruments;

(c)

Investments in preference shares;

(d)

Investments in Government or trust securities;

(e)

Investments in debentures or bonds;

(f)

Investments in Mutual Funds;

(g)

Investments in partnership firms;

(h)

Other non-current investments (specify nature).

Under each classification, details shall be given of names of the bodies corporate (indicating
separately whether such bodies are (i) subsidiaries, (ii) associates, (iii) joint ventures, or (iv)
controlled special purpose entities) in whom investments have been made and the nature and
extent of the investment so made in each such body corporate (showing separately investments
which are partly-paid). In regard to investments in the capital of partnership firms, the names of
the firms (with the names of all their partners, total capital and the shares of each partner) shall
be given.

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III-134 Accounting Pronouncements


(ii)

Investments carried at other than at cost should be separately stated specifying the basis for
valuation thereof.

(iii) The following shall also be disclosed:


(a)

Aggregate amount of quoted investments and market value thereof;

(b)

Aggregate amount of unquoted investments;

(c)

Aggregate provision for diminution in value of investments

If a debenture is to be redeemed partly within 12 months and balance after 12 months, the amount to
be redeemed within 12 months should be disclosed as current and balance should be shown as noncurrent.
8.7.2.1 Trade Investment
Note 6(K)(i) of Part I requires that non-current investments shall be classified as "trade investment" and
"other investments". The term trade investments is defined neither in Revised Schedule VI nor in
Accounting Standards.
The term "trade investment" is, however, normally understood as an investment made by a company in
shares or debentures of another company, to promote the trade or business of the first company.
8.7.2.2 Investment property
As per AS 13 Accounting for Investments, an investment property is an investment in land or buildings
that are not intended to be occupied substantially for use by, or in the operations of, the investing
enterprise.
8.7.2.3 Aggregate provision for diminution in value
As per the Revised Schedule VI, this amount should be disclosed separately in the notes. However, as
per AS 13 all long-term (non-current) investments are required to be carried at cost. However, when
there is a decline, other than temporary, in the value of a long-term investment, the carrying amount is
reduced to recognize the decline. Accordingly, the value of each long-term investment should be
carried at cost less provision for other than temporary diminution in the value thereof. It is
recommended to disclose the amount of provision netted-off for each long-term investment.
However, the aggregate amount of provision made in respect of all noncurrent investments should also
be separately disclosed to comply with the specific disclosure requirement in Revised Schedule VI.
8.7.2.4 Controlled special purpose entities
Under investments, there is also a requirement to disclose the names of bodies corporate, including
separate disclosure of investments in controlled special purpose entities in addition to subsidiaries,
etc. The expression controlled special purpose entities however, has not been defined either in the
Act or in the Revised Schedule VI or in the Accounting Standards. Accordingly, no disclosures would
be additionally required to be made under this caption. If and when such terminology is explained/
introduced in the applicable Accounting Standards, the disclosure requirement would become
applicable.
8.7.2.5 Basis of valuation
The Revised Schedule VI requires disclosure of the basis of valuation of non-current investments
which are carried at other than cost. However, what should be understood by such terminology has not
been clarified. The term basis of valuation was not used in the Old Schedule VI. Hence, the same may
be interpreted in the following ways:
One view is that basis of valuation would mean the market value, or valuation by independent valuers,

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes III-135


valuation based on the investees assets and results, or valuation based on expected cash flows from
the investment, or management estimate, etc. Hence, for all investments carried at other than cost, the
basis of valuation for each individual investment should be disclosed.
The other view is that, disclosure for basis of valuation should be either of:

At cost;

At cost less provision for other than temporary diminution;

Lower of cost and fair value.

However, making disclosures in line with the latter view would be sufficient compliance with the
disclosure requirements.
8.7.2.6 Quoted investments
The term quoted investments has not been defined in the Revised Schedule VI. The expression
quoted investment, as defined in the Old Schedule VI, means an investment as respects which there
has been granted a quotation or permission to deal on a recognized stock exchange, and the
expression unquoted investment shall be construed accordingly.
8.7.2.7 Under each sub-classification of Investments, there is a requirement to disclose details of
investments including names of the bodies corporate and the nature and extent of the investment in
each such boy corporate. The term nature and extent should be interpreted to mean the number and
face value of shares. There is also a requirement to disclose partly-paid shares. However, it is
advisable to clearly disclose whether investments are fully paid or partly paid.
8.7.2.8 Disclosure relating to partnership firms in which the company has invested, etc. (under
Current and Non-current Investments in the Balance Sheet)
A company, as a juridical person, can enter into partnership. The Revised Schedule VI provides for
certain disclosures where the company is a partner in partnership firms.
In the Balance Sheet, under the sub-heading Current Investments and Non-current Investments,
separate disclosure is to be made of any investment in the capital of partnership firm by the company.
In addition, in the Notes to Accounts separate disclosure is required with regard to the names of the
firms, along with the names of all their partners, total capital and the shares of each partner.
The disclosure in the Balance Sheet relating to the value of the investment in the capital of a
partnership firm as the amount to be disclosed as on the date of the Balance Sheet can give rise to
certain issues, the same are discussed in the following paragraphs.
(a)

In case of a change in the constitution of the firm during the year, the names of the other partners
should be disclosed by reference to the position existing as on the date of the companys Balance
Sheet.

(b)

The total capital of the firm to be disclosed should be with reference to the amount of the capital
on the date of the companys Balance Sheet.
If it is not practicable to draw up the Financial Statements of the partnership upto such date and,
are drawn up to different reporting dates, drawing analogy from AS-21 and AS-27, adjustments
should be made for the effects of significant transactions or other events that occur between
those dates and the date of the parents Financial Statements. In any case, the difference
between reporting dates should not be more than six months. In such cases, the difference in
reporting dates should be disclosed.

(c)

For disclosure of the share of each partner it is suggested to disclose share of each partner in the

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III-136 Accounting Pronouncements


profits of the firm rather than the share in the capital since, ordinarily, the expression share of
each partner is understood in this sense. Moreover, disclosure is already required of the total
capital of the firm as well as of the companys share in that capital. The share of each partner
should be disclosed as at the date of the companys Balance Sheet
(d)

The Statement of investments attached to the Balance Sheet is required to disclose, inter alia, the total
capital of the partnership firm in which the company is a partner. Where such a partnership firm has
separate accounts for partners capital, drawings or current, loans to or from partners, etc., disclosure
must be made with regard to the total of the capital accounts alone, since this is what constitutes the
capital of the partnership firm. Where, however, such accounts have not been segregated, or where
the partnership deed provides that the capital of each partner is to be calculated by reference to the net
amount at his credit after merging all the accounts, the disclosure relating to the partnership capital
must be made on the basis of the total effect of such accounts taken together.

Separate disclosure is required by reference to each partnership firm in which the company is a
partner. The disclosure must be made along with the name of each such firm and must then indicate
the total capital of each firm, the names of all the partners in each firm and the respective shares of
each partner in the firm.
8.7.2.9 A limited liability partnership is a body corporate and not a partnership firm as envisaged under
the Partnership Act, 1932. Hence, disclosures pertaining to Investments in partnership firms will not
include investments in limited liability partnerships. The investments in limited liability partnerships will
be disclosed separately under other investments. Also, other disclosures prescribed for Investment in
partnership firms, need not be made for investments in limited liability partnerships.
8.7.3 Long-term loans & advances
(i)

Long-term loans and advances shall be classified as:


(a) Capital Advances;
(b) Security Deposits;
(c) Loans and advances to related parties (giving details thereof);
(d) Other loans and advances (specify nature).

(ii)

The above shall also be separately sub-classified as:


(a) Secured, considered good;
(b) Unsecured, considered good;
(c) Doubtful.

(iii)

Allowance for bad and doubtful loans and advances shall be disclosed under the relevant heads
separately.

(iv)

Loans and advances due by directors or other officers of the company or any of them either
severally or jointly with any other persons or amounts due by firms or private companies
respectively in which any director is a partner or a director or a member should be separately
stated.

Under the Revised Schedule VI, Capital Advances are not be classified under Capital Work in
Progress, since they are specifically to be disclosed under this para.
Capital advances are advances given for procurement of fixed assets which are non-current assets.
Typically, companies do not expect to realize them in cash. Rather, over the period, these get
converted into fixed assets which, by nature, are non-current assets. Hence, capital advances should

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India

Part III: Guidance Notes III-137


be treated as non-current assets irrespective of when the fixed assets are expected to be received and
should not be classified as Short-Term/Current.
Details of loans and advances to related parties need to be disclosed. Since the Revised Schedule VI
states that the terms used therein should be interpreted based on applicable the Accounting Standards,
the term details should be interpreted to understand the disclosure requirements contained in AS 18
Related Party Disclosure. Accordingly, making disclosures beyond the requirements of AS-18 would
not be necessary.
Other loans and advances should include all other items in the nature of advances recoverable in cash
or kind such as Prepaid expenses, Advance tax, CENVAT credit receivable, VAT credit receivable,
Service tax credit receivable, etc. which are not expected to be realized within the next twelve months
or operating cycle whichever is longer, from the Balance Sheet date.
Each item of loans and advances should be further sub-classified as a) Secured, considered good, b)
Unsecured, considered good and c) Doubtful. Further, the amount of allowance for bad and doubtful
loans and advances is required to be disclosed separately under the relevant heads. Therefore, the
amount of such allowance also should be disclosed separately for each category of loans and
advances.
8.7.4 Other non-current assets
Other non-current assets shall be classified as:
(i)

Long term Trade Receivables (including trade receivables on deferred credit terms);

(ii)

Others (specify nature)

Long term Trade Receivables, shall be sub-classified as:


(i)

(ii)
(iii)

(a)

Secured, considered good;

(b)

Unsecured considered good;

(c)

Doubtful

Allowance for bad and doubtful debts shall be disclosed under the relevant heads separately.
Debts due by directors or other officers of the company or any of them either severally or jointly
with any other person or debts due by firms or private companies respectively in which any
director is a partner or a director or a member should be separately stated.

A receivable shall be classified as 'trade receivable' if it is in respect of the amount due on account of
goods sold or services rendered in the normal course of business. Whereas as per the Old Schedule
VI, the term 'sundry debtors' included amounts due in respect of goods sold or services rendered or in
respect of other contractual obligations as well. Hence, amounts due under contractual obligations
cannot be included within Trade Receivables. Such items may include dues in respect of insurance
claims, sale of fixed assets, contractually reimbursable expenses, interest accrued on trade
receivables, etc. Such receivables should be classified as "others" and each such item should be
disclosed nature-wise.
Guidance in respect of above items may also be drawn from the guidance given in respect of Longterm loans & advances to the extent applicable.
The Revised Schedule VI does not contain any specific disclosure requirement for the unamortized
portion of expense items such as share issue expenses, ancillary borrowing costs and discount or
premium relating to borrowings. The Old Schedule VI required these items to be included under the
head Miscellaneous Expenditure.

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III-138 Accounting Pronouncements


As per AS 16 Borrowing Costs ancillary borrowing costs and discount or premium relating to
borrowings could be amortized over the loan period. Further, share issue expenses, discount on
shares, ancillary costs-discount-premium on borrowing, etc., being special nature items are excluded
from the scope of AS 26 Intangible Assets (Para 5). Keeping this in view, certain companies have taken
a view that it is an acceptable practice to amortize these expenses over the period of benefit, i.e.,
normally 3 to 5 years. The Revised Schedule VI does not deal with any accounting treatment and the
same continues to be governed by the respective Accounting Standards/practices. Further, the Revised
Schedule VI is clear that additional line items can be added on the face or in the notes. Keeping this in
view, entity can disclose the unamortized portion of such expenses as Unamortized expenses, under
the head other current/ non-current assets, depending on whether the amount will be amortized in the
next 12 months or thereafter.
8.8 Current assets
As per the Revised Schedule VI, all items of assets and liabilities are to be bifurcated between current
and non-current portions. In some cases, the items presented under the non-current head of the
Balance Sheet do not have a corresponding current head especially for Assets. For example: Security
Deposits have been shown under Long-term loans & advances, however, the same is not reflected
under the short-term loans & advances. Since Revised Schedule VI permits the use of additional line
items, in such cases the current portion should be classified under the Short-term category of the
respective balance as a separate line item and other relevant disclosures e.g. doubtful amount, related
provision etc. should be made.
8.8.1 Current investments
(i)

Current investments shall be classified as:


(a)

Investments in Equity Instruments;

(b)

Investment in Preference Shares

(c)

Investments in government or trust securities;

(d)

Investments in debentures or bonds;

(e)

Investments in Mutual Funds;

(f)

Investments in partnership firms

(g)

Other investments (specify nature).

Under each classification, details shall be given of names of the bodies corporate (indicating
separately whether such bodies are
(i) subsidiaries, (ii) associates, (iii) joint ventures, or (iv) controlled special purpose entities) in
whom investments have been made and the nature and extent of the investment so made in each
such body corporate (showing separately investments which are partly-paid). In regard to
investments in the capital of partnership firms, the names of the firms (with the names of all their
partners, total capital and the shares of each partner) shall be given.
(ii)

The following shall also be disclosed:


(a) The basis of valuation of individual investments
(b) Aggregate amount of quoted investments and market value thereof;
(c) Aggregate amount of unquoted investments;
(d) Aggregate provision made for diminution in value of investments.

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Part III: Guidance Notes III-139


Guidance in respect of above items may be drawn from the guidance given in respect of Non-current
investments to the extent applicable.
Based on these criteria, if a debenture is to be redeemed partly within twelve months and balance after
twelve months, the amount to be redeemed within twelve months should be disclosed as current and
balance should be shown as non-current.
Additionally, the Revised Schedule VI also require basis of valuation of individual investment. It is
pertinent to note that there is no requirement to classify investments into trade & non-trade in respect
of current investments.
The aggregate provision for diminution in the value of current investments that needs to be separately
disclosed is the amount written down based on the measurement principles of Current Investments as
per AS-13 on a cumulative basis, though such write-down is not actually a provision as per the
Standard.
8.8.2 Inventories
(i)

(ii)
(iii)

Inventories shall be classified as:


(a)

Raw materials;

(b)

Work-in-progress;

(c)

Finished goods;

(d)

Stock-in-trade (in respect of goods acquired for trading);

(e)

Stores and spares;

(f)

Loose tools;

(g)

Others (specify nature).

Goods-in-transit shall be disclosed under the relevant sub-head of inventories.


Mode of valuation shall be stated.

As per the Revised Schedule VI, goods in transit should be included under relevant heads with suitable
disclosure. Further, mode of valuation for each class of inventories should be disclosed.
The heading Finished goods should comprise of all finished goods other than those acquired for trading
purposes.
8.8.3 Trade Receivables (current)
(i)

Aggregate amount of Trade Receivables outstanding for a period exceeding six months from the
date they are due for payment should be separately stated.

(ii)

Trade receivables shall be sub-classified as:


(a)

Secured, considered good;

(b)

Unsecured considered good;

(c)

Doubtful.

(iii)

Allowance for bad and doubtful debts shall be disclosed under the relevant heads separately.

(iv)

Debts due by directors or other officers of the company or any of them either severally or jointly
with any other person or debts due by firms or private companies respectively in which any
director is a partner or a director or a member should be separately stated.

A trade receivable will be treated as current, if it is likely to be realized within twelve months from the

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III-140 Accounting Pronouncements


date of Balance Sheet or operating cycle of the business.
The Old Schedule VI required separate presentation of debtors (i) outstanding for a period exceeding
six months (i.e., based on billing date) and (ii) other debtors. However, the Revised Schedule VI
requires separate disclosure of Trade Receivables outstanding for a period exceeding six months from
the date they became due for payment only for the current portion of trade receivables.
Where no due date is specifically agreed upon, normal credit period allowed by the company should be
taken into consideration for computing the due date which may vary depending upon the nature of
goods or services sold and the type of customers, etc.
All other guidance given under Long-term Trade Receivables to the extent applicable are applicable
here also.
8.8.4 Cash and cash equivalents
(i)

(ii)

Cash and cash equivalents shall be classified as:


(a)

Balances with banks;

(b)

Cheques, drafts on hand;

(c)

Cash on hand;

(d)

Others (specify nature).

Earmarked balances with banks (for example, for unpaid dividend) shall be separately stated.

(iii) Balances with banks to the extent held as margin money or security against the borrowings,
guarantees, other commitments shall be disclosed separately.
(iv) Repatriation restrictions, if any, in respect of cash and bank balances shall be separately stated.
(v)

Bank deposits with more than twelve months maturity shall be disclosed separately.

The term "cash and bank balances" in the Old Schedule VI is replaced with Cash and cash
equivalents in the Revised Schedule VI.
Please also refer to the earlier discussion under the section on General Instructions in para 6.4
for classification of items under this head.
Other bank balances would comprise of items such as balances with banks to the extent of held as
margin money or security against borrowings etc, and bank deposits with more than three months
maturity. Banks deposits with more than more than twelve months maturity will also need to be
separately disclosed under the sub-head Other bank balances. The non-current portion of each of the
above balances will have to be classified under the head Other Non-current assets with separate
disclosure thereof.
8.8.5 Short-term loans & Advances
(i)

(ii)

Short-term loans and advances shall be classified as:


(a)

Loans and advances to related parties (giving details thereof);

(b)

Others (specify nature).

The above shall also be sub-classified as:


(a)

Secured, considered good;

(b)

Unsecured, considered good;

(c)

Doubtful.

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Part III: Guidance Notes III-141


(iii)

Allowance for bad and doubtful loans and advances shall be disclosed under the relevant heads
separately.

(iv)

Loans and advances due by directors or other officers of the company or any of them either
severally or jointly with any other person or amounts due by firms or private companies
respectively in which any director is a partner or a director or a member shall be separately
stated.

The guidance for disclosures under this head should be drawn from guidance given for items
comprised within Long-term Loans and Advances.
8.8.6 Other current assets (specify nature)
This is an all-inclusive heading, which incorporates current assets that do not fit into any other asset
categories e.g. unbilled Revenue, unamortised premium on forward contracts etc.
In case any amount classified under this category is doubtful, it is advisable that such doubtful amount
as well as any provision made there against should be separately disclosed.
8.8.7 Contingent liabilities and commitments
(i)

(ii)

Contingent liabilities shall be classified as:


(a)

Claims against the company not acknowledged as debt;

(b)

Guarantees;

(c)

Other money for which the company is contingently liable

Commitments shall be classified as:


(a)

Estimated amount of contracts remaining to be executed on capital account and not


provided for;

(b)

Uncalled liability on shares and other investments partly paid

(c)

Other commitments (specify nature).

8.8.7.1 The provisions of AS-29 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, will be
applied for determining contingent liabilities.
8.8.7.2 A contingent liability in respect of guarantees arises when a company issues guarantees to
another person on behalf of a third party e.g. when it undertakes to guarantee the loan given to a
subsidiary or to another company or gives a guarantee that another company will perform its
contractual obligations. However, where a company undertakes to perform its own obligations, and for
this purpose issues, what is called a "guarantee", it does not represent a contingent liability and it is
misleading to show such items as contingent liabilities in the Balance Sheet. For various reasons, it is
customary for guarantees to be issued by Bankers e.g. for payment of insurance premia, deferred
payments to foreign suppliers, letters of credit, etc. For this purpose, the company issues a "counterguarantee" to its Bankers. Such "counter-guarantee" is not really a guarantee at all, but is an
undertaking to perform what is in any event the obligation of the company, namely, to pay the
insurance premia when demanded or to make deferred payments when due. Hence, such performance
guarantees and counter-guarantees should not be disclosed as contingent liabilities.
8.8.7.3 The Revised Schedule VI also requires disclosures pertaining to various commitments such as
Capital commitments not provided for and Uncalled liability on shares. It also requires disclosures
pertaining to Other commitments, with specification of nature thereof, which was not required by the
Old Schedule VI.
8.8.7.4 The word commitment has not been defined in the Revised Schedule VI. The Guidance Note

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on Terms Used in Financial Statements issued by ICAI defines Capital Commitment as future liability
for capital expenditure in respect of which contracts have been made. Hence, drawing inference from
such definition, the term commitment would simply imply future liability for contractual expenditure.
Accordingly, the term Other commitments would include all expenditure related contractual
commitments apart from capital commitments such as commitments arising from long-term contracts
for purchase of raw material, employee contracts, lease commitments, etc. The scope of such
terminology is very wide and may include contractual commitments for purchase of inventory, services,
investments, sales, employee contracts, etc. However, to give disclosure of all contractual
commitments would be contrary to the overarching principle under General Instructions that a balance
shall be maintained between providing excessive detail that may not assist users of Financial
Statements and not providing important information as a result of too much aggregation.
8.8.7.5 Disclosures relating to lease commitments for non-cancellable leases are required to be
disclosed by AS-19 Leases.
8.8.7.6 Accordingly, the disclosures required to be made for other commitments should include only
those non-cancellable contractual commitments (i.e. cancellation of which will result in a penalty
disproportionate to the benefits involved) based on the professional judgement of the management
which are material and relevant in understanding the Financial Statements of the company and impact
the decision making of the users of Financial Statements.
Examples may include commitments in the nature of buy-back arrangements, commitments to fund
subsidiaries and associates, non-disposal of investments in subsidiaries and undertakings, derivative
related commitments, etc.
8.8.7.7 The Revised Schedule VI requires disclosure of the amount of dividends proposed to be
distributed to equity and preference shareholders for the period and the related amount per share to be
disclosed separately. It also requires separate disclosure of the arrears of fixed cumulative dividends
on preference shares. The Old Schedule VI specifically required proposed dividend to be disclosed
under the head Provisions. In the Revised Schedule VI, this needs to be disclosed in the notes.
Hence, a question that arises is as to whether this means that proposed dividend is not required to be
provided for when applying the Revised Schedule VI. AS-4 Contingencies and Events Occurring After
the Balance Sheet date requires that dividends stated to be in respect of the period covered by the
Financial Statements, which are proposed or declared by the enterprise after the Balance Sheet date
but before approval of the Financial Statements, should be adjusted. Keeping this in view and the fact
that the Accounting Standards override the Revised Schedule VI, companies will have to continue to
create a provision for dividends in respect of the period covered by the Financial Statements and
disclose the same as a provision in the Balance Sheet, unless AS-4 is revised. Hence, the disclosure to
be made in the notes is over and above the disclosures pertaining to a) the appropriation items to be
disclosed under Reserves and Surplus and b) Provisions in the Balance Sheet.
8.8.7.8 The Revised Schedule VI requires that where in respect of an issue of securities made for a
specific purpose, the whole or part of the amount has not been used for the specific purpose at the
Balance Sheet date, there shall be indicated by way of note how such unutilized amounts have been
used or invested. Such a requirement existed in the Old Schedule VI as well.
8.8.7.9 The Revised Schedule VI also states that if, in the opinion of the Board, any of the assets other
than fixed assets and non-current investments do not have a value on realization in the ordinary course
of business at least equal to the amount at which they are stated, the fact that the Board is of that
opinion, shall be stated. A similar requirement existed in the Old Schedule VI as well. It is difficult to
contemplate a situation where any asset other than fixed assets and non-current investments has a
realizable value that is lower than its carrying value, and the same is not given effect to in the books of

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account, since Accounting Standards do not permit the same. AS 13 Accounting for Investments
requires current investments to be valued at lower of cost and fair value. AS 2 Valuation of Inventories
also requires inventories to be valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Further, Allowance
for bad and doubtful debts is required to be shown as a deduction from both Long-term loans &
advances and Other Non-current assets as well as Trade Receivables and Short-term loans and
advances as per Schedule VI. Hence, a diligent application of the requirements of Accounting
Standards and Schedule VI will normally not leave any scope for making any additional disclosures in
this regard.

9. Part II Statement of Profit and Loss


Part II deals with disclosures relating to the Statement of Profit and Loss. The format prescribed is the
vertical form wherein disclosure for revenues and expenses is in various line items. Part II of the
Schedule contains items I to XVI which lists items of Revenue, Expenses and Profit / (Loss). General
Instructions for Preparation of Statement of Profit and Loss govern the other disclosure and
presentation.
As per the Guidance Note Terms Used in Financial Statements, the phrase Profit and Loss statement
is defined as the Financial Statement which presents the revenues and expenses of an enterprise for
an accounting period and shows the excess of revenues over expenses (or vice versa) It is also known
as profit and loss account.
As per Note 1 to General Instructions for Preparation of Statement of Profit and Loss, the provisions
of this part also apply to the income and expenditure account referred to in section 210(2) of the
Companies Act, 1956 in the same manner as they apply to a Statement of Profit and Loss.
The specific format laid down for presentation of various items of Income and Expenses in the
Statement of Profit and Loss indicates that expenses should be aggregated based on their nature.
Accordingly, functional classification of expenses is prohibited.
As per the Framework for the Preparation and Presentation of Financial Statements, income and
expenses are defined as follows:
(a) Income is increase in economic benefits during the accounting period in the form of inflows or
enhancements of assets or decreases of liabilities that result in increases in equity, other than those
relating to contributions from equity participants.
(b) Expenses are decreases in economic benefits during the accounting period in the form of
outflows or depletions of assets or incurrences of liabilities that result in decreases in equity, other than
those relating to distributions to equity participants.
9.1

Revenue from operations:

The aggregate of Revenue from operations needs to be disclosed on the face of the Statement of Profit
and Loss as per Revised Schedule VI
9.1.1 Note 2(A) to General Instructions for the Preparation of Statement of Profit and Loss require that
in respect of a company other than a finance company, Revenue from operations is to be separately
disclosed in the notes, showing revenue from:
(a)

Sale of products

(b)

Sale of services

(c)

Other operating revenues

(d)

Less: Excise duty

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9.1.2 As per AS-9 Revenue Recognition, the above disclosure in respect of Excise Duty needs to be
shown on the face of the Statement of Profit and Loss. Since Accounting Standards override Revised
Schedule VI, the presentation in respect of excise duty will have to be made on the face of the
Statement of Profit and Loss. In doing so, a company may choose to present the elements of revenue
from sale of products, sale of services and other operating revenues also on the face of the Statement
of Profit and Loss instead of the Notes.
9.1.3 Indirect taxes such as Sales tax, Service tax, Purchase tax etc. are generally collected from the
customer on behalf of the government in majority of the cases. However, this may not hold true in all
cases and it is possible that a company may be acting as principal rather than as an agent in collecting
these taxes. Whether revenue should be presented gross or net of taxes should depend on whether the
company is acting as a principal and hence responsible for paying tax on its own account or, whether it
is acting as an agent i.e. simply collecting and paying tax on behalf of government authorities. In the
former case, revenue should also be grossed up for the tax billed to the customer and the tax payable
should be shown as an expense. However, in cases, where a company collects tax only as an
intermediary, revenue should be presented net of taxes.
9.1.4 However, as per the Guidance Note on Value Added Tax, Value Added Tax (VAT) is collected
from the customers on behalf of the VAT authorities and, therefore, its collection from the customers is
not an economic benefit for the enterprise and it does not result in any increase in the equity of the
enterprise. Accordingly, VAT should not be recorded as Revenue of the enterprise. At the same time,
the payment of VAT should not be treated as an expense in the Financial Statements of the company.
9.1.5 Further, as per the definition of Revenue in the Guidance Note on Terms Used in Financial
Statement, It excludes amounts collected on behalf of third parties such as certain taxes. The
Guidance Note on VAT further states, Where the enterprise has not charged VAT separately but has
made a composite charge, it should segregate the portion of sales which is attributable to tax and
should credit the same to VAT Payable Account at periodic intervals.
9.1.6 For non-finance companies, revenue from operations needs to be disclosed separately as
revenue from
(a)

sale of products,

(b)

sale of services and

(c)

other operating revenues.

It is important to understand what is meant by the term other operating revenues and which items
should be classified under this head vis--vis under the head Other Income.
9.1.7 The term other operating revenue is not defined. This would include Revenue arising from a
companys operating activities, i.e., either its principal or ancillary revenue-generating activities, but
which is not revenue arising from the sale of products or rendering of services. Whether a particular
income constitutes other operating revenue or other income is to be decided based on the facts of
each case and detailed understanding of the companys activities. The classification of income would
also depend on the purpose for which the particular asset is acquired or held. For instance, a group
engaged in manufacture and sale of industrial and consumer products also has one real estate arm. If
the real estate arm is continuously engaged in leasing of real estate properties, the rent arising from
leasing of real estate is likely to be other operating revenue. On the other hand, consider a consumer
products company which owns a 10 storied building. The company currently does not need one floor for
its own use and has given the same temporarily on rent. In that case, lease rent is not an other
operating revenue; rather, it should be treated as other income.

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Part III: Guidance Notes III-145


9.1.8 To take other examples, sale of Fixed Assets is not an operating activity of a company, and
hence, profit on sale of fixed assets should be classified as other income and not other operating
revenue. On the other hand, sale of manufacturing scrap arising from operations for a manufacturing
company should be treated as other operating revenue since the same arises on account of the
companys main operating activity.
9.1.9 Net foreign exchange gain should be classified as Other Income. This is because such gain or
loss arises purely on account of fluctuation in exchange rates and not on account of sale of products or
services rendered, unless the business of the company is to deal in foreign exchange.
9.1.10 As per Note 2(A) to General Instructions for Preparation of Statement of Profit and loss, in
respect of a finance company, revenue from operations shall include revenue from
(a)

Interest; and

(b)

Other financial services

Revenue under each of the above heads is to be disclosed separately by way of Notes to Accounts to
the extent applicable.
9.1.11 The term finance company is not defined under the Companies Act, 1956, or Revised Schedule
VI. Hence, the same should be taken to include all companies carrying on activities which are in the
nature of business of non-banking financial institution as defined under section 45I(f) of the Reserve
Bank of India Act, 1935.
The relevant extract is reproduced below:
(a) business of a non-banking financial institution means carrying on of the business of a financial
institution referred to in clause (c) and includes business of a non-banking financial company referred
to in clause (f);
(c) financial institution means any non-banking institution which carries on as its business or part of
its business any of the following activities, namely:
(i)

the financing, whether by way of making loans or advances or otherwise, of any activity
other than its own:

(ii)

the acquisition of shares, stock, bonds, debentures or securities issued by a Government or


local authority or other marketable securities of a like nature:

(iii) letting or delivering of any goods to a hirer under a hire-purchase agreement as defined in
clause (c) of section 2 of the Hire-Purchase Act, 1972:
(iv) the carrying on of any class of insurance business;
(v)

managing, conducting or supervising, as foreman, agent or in any other capacity, of chits or


kuries as defined in any law which is for the time being in force in any State, or any
business, which is similar thereto;

(vi) collecting, for any purpose or under any scheme or arrangement by whatever name called,
monies in lumpsum or otherwise, by way of subscriptions or by sale of units, or other
instruments or in any other manner and awarding prizes or gifts, whether in cash or kind, or
disbursing monies in any other way, to persons from whom monies are collected or to any
other person, but does not include any institution, which carries on as its principal
business,
(a)

agricultural operations; or

(aa) industrial activity; or

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III-146 Accounting Pronouncements


(b) the purchase or sale of any goods (other than securities) or the providing of any
services; or
(c) the purchase, construction or sale of immovable property, so however, that no portion
of the income of the institution is derived from the financing of purchases, constructions or
sales of immovable property by other persons;
Explanation. For the purposes of this clause, industrial activity means any activity
specified in sub-clauses (i) to (xviii) of clause (c) of section 2 of the Industrial Development
Bank of India Act, 1964;
(f)

non-banking financial company means


(i)

a financial institution which is a company;

(ii)

a non-banking institution which is a company and which has as its principal business the
receiving of deposits, under any scheme or arrangement or in any other manner, or lending
in any manner;

(iii) such other non-banking institution or class of such institutions, as the bank may, with the
previous approval of the Central Government and by notification in the Official Gazette,
specify;
9.1.12 Accordingly, applying the aforesaid definition, the term finance company would cover all
NBFCs - Asset Finance companies, Investment companies, Leasing and Hire Purchase companies,
Loan companies, Infra Finance companies, Core Investment companies, Micro-finance companies, etc.
Further, Housing Finance Companies regulated by National Housing Bank should also be considered
as a finance company.
9.2 Other income:
The aggregate of Other income is to be disclosed on face of the Statement of Profit and Loss.
9.2.1 As per Note 4 to General Instructions for the preparation of Statement of Profit and Loss Other
Income shall be classified as:
(a)

Interest Income (in case of a company other than a finance company);

(b)

Dividend Income;

(c)

Net gain / loss on sale of investments;

(d)

Other non-operating income (net of expenses directly attributable to such income).

9.2.2 All kinds of interest income for a company other than a finance company should be disclosed
under this head such as interest on fixed deposits, interest from customers on amounts overdue, etc.
9.2.3 Clause (a) of Note 5 (vii) requires a separate disclosure for Dividends from subsidiary companies.
The Old Schedule VI specifically required parent companies to recognise dividend declared by
subsidiary companies even if declared after the Balance Sheet date if they are related to the period
covered by the Financial Statements. The Revised Schedule VI does not prescribe any such
accounting requirement. Accordingly, dividend income from subsidiary companies should be
recognized in accordance with AS-9, i.e. only when they have a right to receive the same on or before
the Balance Sheet date. Normally, the right to receive is established only when the dividend is
approved by the shareholders at the Annual General Meeting of the investee company. In the first year
of application of Revised Schedule VI, dividend income recognised in the immediately preceding year
based on the aforesaid requirements of Old Schedule VI should not be derecognized for the
comparatives presented.

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Part III: Guidance Notes III-147


To recognize dividend based on the right to receive would constitute a change in accounting policy
which should be applied prospectively. Dividend approved by the shareholders of the subsidiary in the
current year but already recognised by the holding company in the previous years Financial
Statements as per Old Schedule VI should not be again recognised in the first year of application of
Revised Schedule VI. Necessary disclosures as per AS 5 Net Profit or Loss for the Period, Prior Period
Items and Changes in Accounting Policies pertaining to change in accounting policy should be made in
the Notes to Accounts.
9.2.4 Other income items such as interest income, dividend income and net gain on sale of investments
should be disclosed separately for Current as well as Long-term Investments as required by AS 13
Accounting for Investments. If it is a net loss the same should be classified under expenses.
9.2.5 For other non-operating income, income should be disclosed under this head net off expenses
directly attributable to such income. However, the expenses so netted off should be separately
disclosed.
9.3 Share of profits/losses in a Partnership firm
9.3.1 Though, there is no specific requirement in the Revised Schedule VI to disclose profit or losses
on investments in a partnership firm as was required by the Old Schedule VI, the same should be
disclosed as discussed as under.
9.3.2 Share of profit or loss in a partnership firm accrues the moment the same is computed and
credited or debited to the Capital/Current/any other account of the company in the books of the
partnership firm. Hence, the same should be accordingly accounted for in the books of the company.
9.3.3 Separate disclosure of profits or losses from partnership firms should be made. In a case where
the company was a partner during the year but is not a partner at the end of the year, the disclosure
should be made for the period during which the company was a partner.
9.3.4 The company's share of the profits or losses of the partnership firm should be calculated by
reference to the company's own accounting year. The Financial Statements of the partnership for
computing the share of profits and losses should be drawn up to the same reporting date. If it is not
practicable to draw up the Financial Statements of the partnership upto such date and, are drawn up to
a different reporting date, drawing analogy from AS-21 and AS-27, adjustments should be made for the
effects of significant transactions or other events that occur between that date and the date of the
parents Financial Statements. In any case, the difference between reporting dates should not be more
than six months. In such cases, the difference in reporting dates should be disclosed.
9.3.5 In case the year ending of the company and of the firm fall on different dates, the Financial
Statements of the company should also contain a note to indicate that the accounting period of the
partnership firm in respect of which the profits or losses have been accounted for in the company's
books.
9.3.6 If however, a partnership firm happens to be in the nature of a Jointly Controlled Operation as
defined in AS-27, the share of incomes, expenses, assets or liabilities will have to be accounted for in
the Standalone Financial Statements as prescribed in AS-27.
9.3.7 In case the partnership firm is a Subsidiary under AS-21, Associate under AS-23 or Jointly
Controlled Entity/Jointly Controlled Operation under AS-27, in the Consolidated Financial Statements,
the share of profit/loss from the firm should be accounted for in terms of the applicable Accounting
Standard as stated above.
9.3.8 The aforesaid principles should also be applied to accounting for the share of profits and losses in
an Association of Persons (AOP).

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9.4 Share of profits/losses in a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
9.4.1 A Limited Liability Partnership, as per the LLP Act, is a body corporate and the share of profit/loss
in the LLP does not accrue to the partners till the same is transferred to the Partners Capital/Current
Account as per the terms of the LLP Agreement. Accordingly, the share of profit/loss should be
accounted in the books of the company as and when the same is credited/ debited to the Partners
Capital Account.
9.4.2 Depending upon the terms of agreement between the Partners, the LLP may be a Subsidiary
under AS-21, Associate under AS-23 or Jointly Controlled Entity under AS-27. Hence, accounting in
respect of the same in the Consolidated Financial Statements would be governed by the applicable
Accounting Standards.
9.5

Expenses

The aggregate of the following expenses are to be disclosed on the face of the Statement of
Profit and Loss:

Cost of materials consumed

Purchases of Stock-in-Trade

Changes in inventories of finished goods, work in progress and stock in trade

Employee benefits expense

Finance costs

Depreciation and amortization expense

Other expenses

9.5.1 Cost of materials consumed


9.5.1.1 This disclosure is applicable for manufacturing companies. Materials consumed would consist
of raw materials, packing materials (where classified by the company as raw materials) and other
materials such as purchased intermediates and components which are consumed in the
manufacturing activities of the company. Where packing materials are not classified as raw materials
the consumption thereof should be disclosed separately. However, intermediates and components
which are internally manufactured are to be excluded from the classification:
9.5.1.2 For purpose of classification of inventories, internally manufactured components may be
disclosed as below:
i.

where such components are sold without further processing they are to be disclosed as 'finished
products'.

ii.

where such components are sold only after further processing, the better course is to disclose
them as 'work-in-progress' but they may also be disclosed as 'manufactured components subject
to further processing or with such other suitable description as 'semi-finished products' or
'intermediate products'.

iii.

where such components are sometimes sold without further processing and sometimes after
further processing it is better to disclose them as 'manufactured components'.

9.5.1.3 For the purpose of interpreting the requirement to classify the raw materials, some guidance
may be necessary with regard to the question as to what constitutes raw materials. According to the
strict dictionary connotation of this term, raw materials would include only materials obtained in the
state of nature. Such a definition would, however, be unrealistic in context of this requirement because
it would exclude even a basic material such as steel. Generally speaking, the term raw materials

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would include materials which physically enter into the composition of the finished product. Materials,
such as stores, fuel, spare parts etc, which do not enter physically into the composition of the finished
product, would therefore, be excluded from the purview of the term raw materials.
9.5.1.4 The requirement is silent with regard to containers and packaging materials. It is, therefore,
open to question whether such materials constitute a category of raw materials for the purpose of the
classification. The matter should be decided in the light of the facts and circumstances of each case,
the nature of the containers and packaging materials, their relative value in comparison to the raw
materials consumed, and other similar considerations. Where, however, packaging materials, because
of their nature are included in raw materials it is preferable to show the description as raw materials
including packaging materials consumed.
9.5.1.5 Since in case of a company which falls under the category of manufacturing or manufacturing
and trading company, disclosure is required with regard to raw materials consumed, care should be
taken to ensure that the figures relate to actual consumption rather than derived consumption. The
latter figure is ordinarily obtained by deducting the closing inventory from the total of the opening
inventory and purchases, but this figure may not always represent a fair indication of actual
consumption because it might conceal losses and wastages. On the other hand, if the figure of actual
consumption can be compiled from issue records or other similar data, it is likely to be more accurate.
Where this is not possible, the derived figure of consumption may be shown and it is left to the
company, according to the circumstances of each case, to determine whether any footnote is required
to indicate that the consumption disclosed is on the basis of derived figures rather than actual records
of issue.
9.5.1.6 Where the consumption is disclosed on the basis of actual records of issue, a further question
arises with regard to the treatment of shortages, losses and wastages. In most manufacturing
companies, these are inevitable. It is, therefore, suggested that the company should itself establish
reasonable norms of acceptable margins. Any shortages, losses or wastages which are within these
norms may be regarded as an ordinary incidence of the manufacturing process and may, therefore, be
included in the figure of consumption. On the other hand, any shortages, losses or wastages which are
beyond the permitted margin or when they are known to have occurred otherwise than in the
manufacturing process, should not be included in the consumption figures. Whether or not such
abnormal variations need to be separately disclosed in the accounts would depend upon the facts and
circumstances of each case. The General Instructions for Preparation of Statement of Profit and Loss
does not require any specific disclosures.
9.5.1.7 In the case of industries where there are several processes, materials may move from process
to process, so that the finished product of one department constitutes the raw materials of the next.
Since the disclosure requirement provides only for disclosure of raw material under broad heads and
goods purchased under broad heads and also having regard to the fact that the consumption of raw
materials for production of such intermediates would have to be accounted as raw materials consumed,
it follows that internal transfers from one department to another should be disregarded in determining
the consumption figures to be disclosed. .
9.5.2 Purchases of Stock in Trade
Stock-in-trade refers to goods purchased normally with the intention to resell or trade in. In case, any
semi-finished goods/materials are purchased with an intention of doing further processing activities on
the same, the same should be included in cost of materials consumed rather than under this item.
9.5.3 Changes in inventories of finished goods, work-in-progress and stock-in-trade
This requires disclosure of difference between opening and closing inventories of finished goods, work-

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in-progress and stock-in-trade. The difference should be disclosed separately for finished goods, work
in progress and stock in trade.
9.5.4 Employee benefits expense [Note 5(i)(a)]
This requires disclosure of the following details:
9.5.4.1 Salaries and wages
The aggregate amounts paid/payable by the company for payment of salaries and wages are to be
disclosed here. Expenses on account of bonus, leave encashment, compensation and other similar
payments also need to be disclosed here. Where a separate fund is maintained for Gratuity payouts,
contribution to Gratuity fund should be disclosed under the sub-head Contribution to provident and
other funds.
The term employee should be deemed to include directors who are either in whole-time or part-time
employment of the company. It will exclude those directors who attend only Board meetings and are not
under a contract of service with the company. Those who act as consultants or advisers without
involving the relationship of master and servant with the company should also be excluded. A
distinction should be made between persons engaged under a contract of service and those engaged
under a contract for services. Only the former are to be included in the computation. Whether part-time
employees are to be included would depend on the facts and circumstances of each case - the basic
criterion being whether they are employed under a contract of service or a contract for services.
9.5.4.2 Contribution to provident and other funds
The aggregate amounts paid/payable by a company on account of contributions to provident fund and
other funds like Gratuity fund, Superannuation fund, etc. are to be disclosed here.
Contributions for such funds for contract labour may also be separately disclosed here. However,
penalties and other similar amounts paid to the statutory authorities are not strictly in the nature of
contribution and should not be disclosed here.
9.5.4.3 Expense on Employee Stock Option Scheme (ESOP) and Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(ESPP)
The amount of expense under this head should be determined in accordance with the Guidance Note
on Accounting for Employee Share based Payments and/or the SEBI (Employee Stock Option Scheme
and Employee Stock Purchase Scheme) Guidelines, 1999, as applicable. All disclosures required by
the aforesaid Guidance Note should be made here.
9.5.4.4 Staff welfare expense
The total expenditure on Staff welfare is to be disclosed herein.
9.5.5 As per Note 3 of to the General Instructions for the Preparation of the Statement of Profit
and Loss, disclosure of Finance costs is to be bifurcated under the following:
(A)

Interest expense

(B)

Other borrowing costs

(C) Applicable net gain/loss on foreign currency transactions and translation


A)

Interest expense

This would cover interest paid on borrowings from banks and others, on debentures, bonds or similar
instruments etc. Finance charges on finance leases are in the nature of interest expense and hence should
also be classified as interest expense. In the absence of any bifurcation required for interest paid on fixed
period loans and other borrowings as required under the Old Schedule VI, the same need not be given.

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B)

Other borrowing costs

Other borrowing costs would include commitment charges, loan processing charges, guarantee
charges, loan facilitation charges, discounts/premium on borrowings, other ancillary costs incurred in
connection with borrowings, or amortization of such costs, etc.
C) Applicable net gain/loss on foreign currency transactions and translation
As per Para 4(e) of AS-16, borrowing costs also include exchange differences arising from foreign
currency borrowings to the extent that they are regarded as an adjustment to interest costs. Any such
exchange differences would need to be disclosed under this head.
9.5.6 Depreciation and amortization expense [Note 5(i) (b)]
A company has to disclose depreciation provided on fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets
under this head.
9.5.7 Other Expenses
All other expenses not classified under other heads will be classified here. For this purpose, any item of
expenditure which exceeds one percent of the revenue from operations or `` 1,00,000, whichever is
higher (as against the requirement of Old Schedule VI of 1 percent of total revenue or ` 5,000
whichever is higher), needs to be disclosed separately.
Further Note 5(vi) requires a separate disclosure of each of the following items, which will also be
classified under Other expenses

Consumption of stores and spare parts;

Power and fuel;

Rent;

Repairs to buildings;

Repairs to machinery;

Insurance;

Rates and taxes, excluding taxes on income;

Miscellaneous expenses.

9.6 Exceptional items


The term Exceptional items is not defined in Revised Schedule VI. However, AS-5 Net Profit or Loss
for the period, Prior period items and changes in Accounting Policies has a reference to such items in
Paras 12, 13 and 14.
Para 12: When items of income and expense within profit or loss from ordinary activities are of such
size, nature or incidence that their disclosure is relevant to explain the performance of the enterprise
for the period, the nature and amount of such items should be disclosed separately.
Para 13: Although the items of income and expense described in paragraph 12 are not extraordinary
items, the nature and amount of such items may be relevant to users of Financial Statements in
understanding the financial position and performance of an enterprise and in making projections about
financial position and performance. Disclosure of such information is sometimes made in the notes to
the Financial Statements.
Para 14: Circumstances which may give rise to the separate disclosure of items of income and expense
in accordance with paragraph 12 include: the write-down of inventories to net realisable value as well
as the reversal of such write-downs; a restructuring of the activities of an enterprise and the reversal of

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any provisions for the costs of restructuring;
9

disposals of items of fixed assets;

disposals of long-term investments;

legislative changes having retrospective application;

litigation settlements; and

other reversals of provisions.

In case the company has more than one such item of income / expense of the above nature, the
aggregate of such items should be disclosed on the face of the Statement of Profit and Loss. Details of
the all individual items should be disclosed in the Notes. [Note 5 (i) (k) to the General Instructions for
preparation of the Statement of Profit and Loss]
9.7 Extraordinary items
The term Extraordinary items is not defined in Revised Schedule VI. However, AS 5 Net Profit or Loss for
the period, Prior period items and changes in Accounting Policies at para 4.2 defines extraordinary items
as: Extraordinary items are income or expenses that arise from events or transactions that are clearly
distinct from the ordinary activities of the enterprise and, therefore, are not expected to recur frequently or
regularly. Further para 8 of AS-5 discusses about the disclosure of extraordinary items as below:
Extraordinary items should be disclosed in the Statement of Profit and Loss as a part of net profit or
loss for the period. The nature and the amount of each extraordinary item should be separately
disclosed in the Statement of Profit and Loss in a manner that its impact on current profit or loss can be
perceived.
In case the company has more than one such item of income / expense of the above nature, the
aggregate of such items should be disclosed on the face of the Statement of Profit and Loss. Details of
the all individual items should be disclosed in the Notes. [Note 5 (i) (k) to the General Instructions for
Preparation of the Statement of Profit and Loss].
9.8 Tax expense:
This is to be disclosed on the face of the Statement to Profit and Loss and bifurcated into:
(1) Current tax and
(2) Deferred tax
9.8.1 Current tax
9.8.1.1 The term Current tax has been defined under AS-22 Accounting for Taxes on Income as the
amount of income tax determined to be payable (recoverable) in respect of the taxable income (tax
loss) for a period. Hence, details of all taxes on income payable under the applicable taxation laws
should be disclosed here.
9.8.1.2 Presentation for Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) credit should be made as prescribed by the ICAI
Guidance Note on Accounting for Credit Available in Respect of Minimum Alternative tax under the
Income-tax Act, 1961. The relevant portion is as under:
Profit and Loss Account:
15. According to paragraph 6 of Accounting Standards Interpretation (ASI) 6, Accounting for Taxes on
Income in the context of Section 115JB of the Income-tax Act, 1961, issued by the Institute of
Chartered Accountants of India, MAT is the current tax. Accordingly, the tax expense arising on
account of payment of MAT should be charged at the gross amount, in the normal way, to the profit and

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loss account in the year of payment of MAT. In the year in which the MAT credit becomes eligible to be
recognised as an asset in accordance with the recommendations contained in this Guidance Note, the
said asset should be created by way of a credit to the profit and loss account and presented as a
separate line item therein.
The Disclosure in this regard should be made as under :
Current tax (MAT)
Less : MAT credit entitlement

XX
(XX)

Net Current tax


XX
9.8.1.3 Any interest on shortfall in payment of advance income-tax is in the nature of finance cost and
hence should not be clubbed with the Current tax. The same should be classified as Interest expense
under finance costs. However, such amount should be separately disclosed.
9.8.1.4 Any penalties levied under Income tax laws should not be classified as Current tax. Penalties
which are compensatory in nature should be treated as interest and disclosed in the manner explained
above. Other tax penalties should be classified under Other expenses.
9.8.1.5 Wealth tax payable by a company on assets liable for wealth tax should not be included within
current tax since the same is not a tax on income. Accordingly, wealth tax should be included in Rates
and taxes under other expenses.
9.8.1.6 Excess/Short provision of tax relating to earlier years should be separately disclosed.
9.8.2 Deferred tax
9.8.2.1 Any charge/credit for deferred taxes needs to be disclosed separately on the face of the
Statement of Profit and Loss.
9.8.2.2 AS 22 Accounting for Taxes on Income defines Deferred tax as the tax effect of timing
differences.
Timing differences are defined as differences between taxable income and accounting income for a
period that originate in one period and are capable of reversal in one or more subsequent periods.
9.9 Profit / (loss) for the period from Discontinuing operations
9.9.1 The term Discontinuing operations is defined in AS 24 Discontinuing operations as a
component of an enterprise:
a.

that the enterprise, pursuant to a single plan, is:


(i) disposing of substantially in its entirety, such as by selling the component in a single
transaction or by demerger or spin-off of ownership of the component to the enterprise's
shareholders; or
(ii) disposing of piecemeal, such as by selling off the component's assets and settling its
liabilities individually; or
(iii) terminating through abandonment; and
b. that represents a separate major line of business or geographical area of operations; and
c.
that can be distinguished operationally and for financial reporting purposes.
9.9.2 Profit or loss from Discontinuing Operations needs to be separately disclosed on the face of
Statement of Profit and Loss. This disclosure is in line with the disclosure requirement of AS-24 Para
32(a) which requires the amount of pre-tax profit or loss from ordinary activities attributable to the
discontinuing operation during the current financial reporting period, and the income tax expense
related thereto to be disclosed on the face of the Statement of Profit and Loss.

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9.9.3 Further, AS-24 Para 32(b) requires the following disclosure to be made on the face of the
Statement of Profit and Loss as well:
(b) the amount of the pre-tax gain or loss recognised on the disposal of assets or settlement of
liabilities attributable to the discontinuing operation.
Accordingly, such disclosures for discontinuing operations should be made wherever applicable.
9.10 Tax expense of discontinuing operations
In case there are any taxes payable / tax credits available on profits / losses of discontinuing operations, the
same needs to be disclosed as a separate line item on the Statement of Profit and Loss.
9.11 Earnings per equity share
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share should be made in accordance with AS 20
Earnings Per Share. It is pertinent to note that the nominal value of equity shares should be disclosed
along with the Earnings Per Share figures as required by AS 20.
10 Other additional information to be disclosed by way of Notes to Statement of Profit and
Loss
Besides the above disclosures, Para 5 of the General instructions for Preparation of Statement of Profit
and Loss also require disclosure on the following items:
10.1 Adjustments to the carrying amount of investments [Clause (h) of Note 5(i)]
In case there are any adjustments to carrying amount of investments pursuant to diminution in value of
the investment (or reversal thereof) in conformity with AS 13 Accounting for Investments, the same
should be disclosed here.
10.2 Net gain or loss on foreign currency translation (other than considered as finance cost)
Clause (i) of Note 5(i)
Any gains / losses on account of foreign exchange fluctuations are to be disclosed separately as per
AS 11. Thus net exchange loss should be classified under Other expenses and the amount so included
should be separately disclosed. Under this head, exchange differences to the extent classified as
borrowing costs as per Para 4(e) of AS-16 should not be disclosed. Refer para 9.5.5 [Note 3(c) of
Revised Schedule VI].
10.3 Payments to the auditor [Clause (j) of Note 5(i)]
Payments covered here should be for payments made to the firm of auditor(s). Expenses incurred
towards such auditors remuneration should be disclosed under each of the following sub-heads as
follows:
As :
(a)

Auditor,

(b)

For taxation matters,

(c)

For company law matters,

(d)

For management services,

(e)

For other services,

(f)

For reimbursement of expenses;

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10.4 Prior period items [Clause (l) of Note 5 (i) ]
The term Prior period Items is not defined in Revised Schedule VI. AS 5 Net Profit or Loss for the
period, Prior period items and changes in Accounting Policies, in para 4.3 defines Prior period items
as Prior period items are income or expenses which arise in the current period as a result of errors or
omissions in the preparation of the Financial Statements of one or more prior periods.
10.5 The Revised Schedule VI requires the following additional information to be given by way of
notes:
Nature of company

Disclosures required

Manufacturing companies

Raw materials under broad heads


Goods purchased under broad heads

Trading companies

Purchases of goods traded under broad heads

Companies rendering or

Gross income derived from services

supplying services

rendered under broad heads

Company that falls under

It will be sufficient compliance with more than one


category the requirements, if purchases, sales and
consumption of raw material and the gross income from
services rendered are shown under broad heads.

10.6 The disclosure requirements to be made for the above in the Financial Statements are
discussed as under:
The disclosures required as above are not very clear and give rise to the following questions:
(a)

Whether a company is required to disclose quantitative details or not?

(b)

Whether a manufacturing company will disclose purchase, sale or consumption of raw materials?

(c)

What is meant by good purchased in case of manufacturing companies?

(d)

While there is a requirement to disclose gross income in case of a service company and sales in
case of a company falling under more than one category, there is no clear requirement to disclose
sales for a manufacturing or a trading company.

(e)

With regard to a company falling under more than one category different interpretations seem
possible. One interpretation is that it should disclose purchase, sale and consumption for raw
material. The other interpretation is that purchase relates to traded goods, sale relates to all
goods sold (both manufactured goods and traded goods) and for raw material, only consumption
needs to be disclosed.

10.7 Since the Revised Schedule VI gives a note stating that Broad heads shall be decided taking into
account the concept of materiality and presentation of true and fair view of Financial Statements, a
company may consider the following in deciding the disclosures required:
(a)

Apparently, there is no need to give quantitative details for any of the items.

(b)

Considering the ambiguity and on a conservative interpretation, a manufacturing company may


disclose the following under broad heads:
(i)

Consumption of major items of raw materials (including other items classified as raw
material such as intermediates/ components/packing material)

(ii)

Goods purchased for trading (if any)

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(iii) Though the Revised Schedule VI does not specifically require, it is also suggested to
disclose major items of opening and closing stock. However, it is not mandatory.
(iv) Considering the requirement to disclose gross income in case of a service company and
sales in case of a company falling in more than one category, disclosure of sales of finished
goods should also be made under broad heads.
(c)

The term broad heads may be interpreted to mean broad categories of raw materials, goods
purchased, etc. These categories should be decided based on the nature of each business and
other facts and circumstances. Normally, 10 percent of total value of sales/services, purchases of
trading goods and consumption of raw material is considered as an acceptable threshold for
determination of broad heads. Any other threshold can also be considered taking into account the
concept of materiality and presentation of true and fair view of Financial Statements.

(d)

Similar principle may be followed to decide disclosure requirement in other cases.

10.8 Based on the above perspectives, given below is a suggested format for making this disclosure:
10.8.1 Manufacturing company (Amount in `)
Particulars
Raw materials
Raw material A

Consumption
XX
(YY)
XX
(YY)
XX
(YY)
XX
(YY)

Raw material B
Others
Total

Particulars
Good purchased
Traded item A

Purchases
XX
(YY)
XX
(YY)
XX
(YY)
XX
(YY)

Traded item B
Others
Total

Particulars
Manufactured goods
Finished goods A
Finished goods B

Sales values

XX (YY)
XX (YY)

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Closing
Inventory

Opening
Inventory

XX
XX

XX
XX

Part III: Guidance Notes III-157


Others
Total
Traded goods
Traded goods A
Traded goods B
Others
Total

XX (YY)
XX (YY)

XX
XX

XX
XX

XX (YY)
XX (YY)
XX (YY)
XX (YY)

XX
XX
XX
XX

XX
XX
XX
XX

Particulars
Work in Progress
Goods A WIP

WIP
XX
(YY)
XX
(YY)
XX
(YY)
XX
(YY)

Goods B WIP
Others
Total
10.8.2 Trading company
Particulars

Purchase

Sales

Traded goods
Traded goods A

XX (YY)

XX (YY)

Traded goods B

XX (YY)

XX (YY)

Others

XX (YY)

XX (YY)

Total

XX (YY)

XX (YY)

10.8.3 Service Company


Particulars
Services rendered

Amount

Service A

XX
(YY)

Service B

XX
(YY)

Others

XX
(YY)

Total

XX
(YY)

Note : Figures in brackets represent previous year figures.


A company falling under more than one category will make the above disclosures, to the extent
relevant.

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10.9 The aggregate, if material, of any amounts set aside or proposed to be set aside, to reserve
[Clause (a) of Note 5(iv)]
1. 10.9.1 Disclosure is required for amounts set aside or proposed to be set aside to reserves out of
the profits for the period. The said transfers can be in terms of the applicable statute under which the
Financial Statements are prepared i.e., the Companies Act, 1956 or any other applicable statute e.g.
Income Tax Act, 1961, or RBI Act, 1932, etc. Further, profits may also be appropriated to free reserves
as deemed appropriate by the management.
2. 10.9.2 The transfer to reserves as above should, however, not include provisions made to meet
any specific liability, contingency or commitment known to exist at the date as on which the Balance
Sheet is made up.
10.10 The aggregate, if material, of any amounts withdrawn from such reserves [Clause (b) of
Note 5 (iv):
In case the company has made any withdrawals from any reserves created in terms of Clause (a) of
Note 5(iv) above, the same is to be disclosed separately.
It may be noted that such setting aside as well as withdrawal from reserves is to be disclosed under
applicable Line item of Reserves and Surplus, and not under the Statement of Profit and Loss since the
same is an appropriation of profits and not a charge against revenue.
10.11 The aggregate, if material, of the amounts set aside to provisions made for meeting
specific liabilities, contingencies or commitments and amounts withdrawn from such
provisions, as no longer required [Clause (a) of Note 5(v) and Clause (b) of Note 5(v)]
The amounts in respect of the items under this requirement should be separately disclosed as a charge
to the Statement of Profit and Loss. Provisions no longer required should be credited to the Statement
of Profit and Loss.
10.12 Clause (b) of Note 5(vii) requires disclosure for Provisions for losses of subsidiary
companies.
However, as per AS-13, a provision in respect of losses made by subsidiary companies is made only
when the same results in another than temporary diminution in the value of investments in the
subsidiary. Accordingly, the aforesaid disclosure should be made separately only where such a
provision has been made in respect of the investment in such loss-making subsidiary.
11

Other Disclosures

The Statement of Profit and Loss shall also contain by way of a note the following information, namely:(a)

Value of imports calculated on C.I.F basis by the company during the financial year in respect of
I.

Raw materials;

II.

Components and spare parts;

III.

Capital goods;

(b) Expenditure in foreign currency during the financial year on account of royalty, know-how,
professional and consultation fees, interest, and other matters;
(c) Total value if all imported raw materials, spare parts and components consumed during the
financial year and the total value of all indigenous raw materials, spare parts and components similarly
consumed and the percentage of each to the total consumption;
(d) The amount remitted during the year in foreign currencies on account of dividends with a specific
mention of the total number of non-resident shareholders, the total number of shares held by them on

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which the dividends were due and the year to which the dividends related;
(e)

Earnings in foreign exchange classified under the following heads, namely:

Export of goods calculated on F.O.B. basis;

Royalty, know-how, professional and consultation fees;

Interest and dividend;

Other income, indicating the nature thereof

11.1 Value of imports calculated on C.I.F. basis by the company during the financial year [Clause
(a) of Note 5(viii)]
The above disclosure is to be given in respect of Raw materials; Components and spare parts;
Capital goods.
11.1.1 One of the requirements of disclosure as a note to the Statement of Profit and Loss is the value
of imports of raw materials calculated on C.I.F. basis. The manner in which the term raw materials
should be interpreted for this purpose, is as discussed in para 9.5.1.3 of this Guidance Note.
11.1.2 Disclosure is also required to be made as to the value of imports of components and spare parts
and capital goods respectively. The term components may be interpreted in the same manner as the
term intermediates or components in connection with the requirement, discussed earlier in para
9.5.1.2 of this Guidance Note, to disclose the consumption of purchased components or intermediates.
The term spare parts would ordinarily relate to spare parts for plant and machinery and other capital
equipment. The total value of imports of components and spare parts may be disclosed in the
aggregate. It may be appropriate to sub-classify the value of imports between components and spare
parts respectively since the nature of these two items is not entirely similar. Such separate
classification however, is not a mandatory requirement of the Revised Schedule VI. However, wherever
the records for raw materials and components are maintained together, the information required under
this clause pertaining to components can be presented collectively with raw materials.
11.1.3 As regards capital goods, disclosure would be involved in respect of imported plant and
machinery, furniture and fixtures, transport equipment, intangible assets and other types of expenditure
which is treated as capital expenditure in the books of account. It is undoubtedly anomalous to disclose
the value of imports of capital goods by way of a note on the Statement of Profit and Loss, since by the
very definition, capital assets do not form part of the Statement of Profit and Loss. However, since this
is the specific requirement of the Revised Schedule VI, it would have to be complied as such. Since this
disclosure is required for the Statement of Profit and Loss, it would not be advisable to disclose the
imports of capital goods by way of a note on Fixed Assets- Tangible Assets or Capital work-inprogress, even though it would be more appropriate to do so.
11.1.4 It is significant that this requirement covers only imported spare parts. It apparently does not
apply to goods imported for sale, imported stores, etc. However, the practice followed by most
companies is that imported stores are being clubbed with imported spare parts for the purposes of this
disclosure. This is probably due to the practical difficulty involved in separating stores from spare parts.
Hence, where it is not possible to segregate the two owing to practical difficulties, the total value of
imports of stores and spare parts may be shown against a caption which clearly indicates that the value
shown relates to both the stores as well as the spare parts.
11.1.5 The disclosure in respect of imports of the foregoing items is to be made on accrual basis. This
is because disclosure is required in respect of the value of imports during the financial year.
Consequently, if the particular item has been imported during the accounting year, it should be
disclosed as such, even though the payment is not made in that year.

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11.1.6 It is also to be noted that the disclosure under this requirement relates to the imports as such. It
is not linked with the consumption of the material or utilization of capital goods.
11.1.7 While a subsequent requirement relates to expenditure in foreign currency for designated items,
the requirement presently under discussion is not linked with any particular expenditure in foreign
currency or local currency. Consequently, the value of imports of raw materials, components and spare
parts and capital goods is to be disclosed irrespective of whether or not such imports have resulted in
an expenditure in foreign currency. It is possible that imports may have been arranged on Rupee
payment terms without involving any foreign currency expenditure but even so, the value of the imports
would have to be suitably disclosed.
11.1.8 Disclosure should be made in Indian currency. Where the imports involve foreign currency
expenditure, the amount be disclosed would be the corresponding Rupee value of the imports as
translated in the books of account on normal principles relating to the translation of foreign currencies.
11.1.9 The value of the imports is to be calculated on C.I.F. basis that is inclusive of cost, insurance
and freight. It is possible that the imported materials may have been shipped by an Indian carrier and
the insurance may have been arranged with an Indian insurer, so that, really, there is no element of
import of services with regard to the insurance and freight. Even so, the Revised Schedule VI requires
the value of the imports to be disclosed on a C.I.F. basis, and while this may be anomalous in the types
of situations indicated above, the requirement should ordinarily be complied with. If for any reason,
there is some practical difficulty in disclosing the value of the imports on C.I.F. basis, a footnote should
be appended to the statement indicating the precise method by which the value of imports has been
arrived at. For example, it may be stated that, because of practical difficulties in disclosing the value of
imports on C.I.F. basis, such disclosure has been made on F.O.B. basis. Without attempting to
particularize the various circumstances under which it may be difficult to disclose the value of imports
on a C.I.F. basis, one example may be cited. A company may have standing arrangements with a
shipping line or with an insurer so that all imports are covered through such a standing arrangement, In
that case, it may be difficult to allocate the insurance or freight to each specific shipment. Similarly, if a
company is a self insurer, or if it owns its own fleet of ships, disclosure of the value of imports cannot
be made on a C.I.F. basis. In situations of this kind the matter should be covered by a suitable
explanatory note but otherwise, wherever possible, the value of imports should be disclosed on a C.I.F.
basis. It may be noted that the requirement to disclose the value on a C.I.F. basis relates to the method
of computation of the value, rather than the terms of the import contract. It is not to be implied that this
method of valuation is restricted to a case where the import contract is itself on a C.I.F. basis.
11.1.10 Disclosure is required with regard to the value of imports by the company. This implies that
only direct imports by the company are involved in the disclosure. If the company purchases imported
materials in the open market, no disclosure would be necessary under this requirement. Similarly, if the
company canalized its imports through another agency such as the State Trading Corporation, no
disclosure would be required, since it is the latter agency which is the importing entity. On the other
hand, if a company purchases import entitlements and thereafter imports materials on the basis of
those entitlements, the value of such imports would need to be disclosed, since they are the imports of
the company, irrespective of the manner in which the company procured the import entitlements. Within
this rather broad statement of the case, it is apprehended that practical difficulties may arise in
determining whether or not a particular import has been made by the company.
11.1.11 For the purpose of this requirement, only direct imports are to be taken into consideration.
Imported materials purchased locally, and imports canalized through other sources, need not be
disclosed. While this distinction may be clear in the large majority of cases, problems may arise in
individual cases. In particular, in the case of indirect imports, care should be taken to determine

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whether the source from which the imports have been obtained represent an agency or an independent
principal. If a company has appointed a person or a company as its agent for the purpose of securing
the import of raw materials, etc., the imports through such agent must be regarded as the companys
imports, and the value of such imports should be disclosed pursuant to the requirement under this
Note. On the other hand, if another person or company has already imported the materials and the
company in question merely purchases such imported materials, on a principal to principal basis,
(except in cases where importing the materials is done under specific requisition resulting in substance
agent-principal relationship) the value of such imports should be ignored by the latter company, and
included by the former.
11.1.12 The value of imports should also include goods which are in transit on the Balance Sheet date,
provided significant risks and rewards of ownership in those goods have already passed to the
purchasing company. For the purpose of determining whether or not the property has passed,
reference may be made to the terms of the import contract, and recognized legal principles, relating to
this matter. Conversely, goods-in-transit at the beginning of the year should be excluded on a similar
basis so that they do not form part of the value of the current years imports or succeeding years for
the purpose of the same disclosure relating to the value of imports.
11.1.13 Since the requirement is to disclose the value of imports during the accounting year, it may be
necessary to determine when the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the goods has passed
from the overseas exporter to the Indian importer in accordance with the well recognized legal
principles relating to this matter, irrespective of the fact whether or not the goods have been physically
received.
11.1.14 A particular problem may, however, arise in the case of import of capital goods where delivery
is to be made in installments through part shipments from time to time. The contract may provide for
the total value of the entire shipment and it may, therefore, be difficult to determine the separate value
of the part shipments received during the accounting year. Since the disclosure which is required is in
respect of imports during the accounting year, it may be necessary to estimate, on a reasonable basis,
the separate value of part shipments. If such estimates are reasonable, no objection needs be taken
thereto.
11.1.15 It follows from this that, in appropriate cases, the disclosure would include the value of goods
in transit at the end of the year if the significant risks and rewards of ownership in such goods has
already passed to the Indian importer. Conversely, it may be necessary to exclude the value of the
opening inventory in transit if the title to such inventory had already passed to the Indian importer prior
to the end of the previous year.
11.1.16 For the purpose of working out the C.I.F. value of imports, it may be necessary to make
approximations in suitable cases. For example, a company may be actually importing materials on the
basis of F.O.B. contracts so that the values directly available from its records would be those relating to
F.O.B. terms. In such cases, a standard formula may be applied in order to convert the F.O.B. values to
C.I.F. For example, the companys accountant may calculate that a loading of, say, eleven per cent on
the F.O.B. values is ordinarily adequate and correct in order to convert the F.O.B. values to C.I.F. If
such approximations are reasonable, no objection should ordinarily be taken thereto.
11.2 Expenditure in foreign currency during the financial year [Clause (b) of Note 5(viii)]
The above is to be disclosed for expenditure incurred on account of royalty, know-how, professional
and consultation fees, interest and other matters;
11.2.1 In addition to the requirement discussed earlier relating to the disclosure of the value imported
materials, and the disclosure relating to the consumption of imported materials as compared to

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indigenous materials, there is also a further requirement to disclose expenditure in foreign currency on
account of royalty, know-how, professional consultation fees, interest, and other matters.
11.2.2 In this particular case, the disclosure is to be made with regard to the expenditure in foreign
currency. Consequently, if no foreign currency expenditure is involved, no disclosure would be
required, even though the specific services covered by this requirement have been imported free of
cost or against Rupee payment or against any other method of payment or adjustment not involving the
expenditure of foreign currency. Although the disclosure is required to be made with regard to items
involving expenditure in foreign currency, the amount to be disclosed would be the Indian Rupee
amount. It should be noted that every company is required to follow accrual system of accounting and
the requirement refers to expenditure, the disclosure should be on the basis of the expenditure
incurred and recorded in the books of account and not on the basis of remittance. The appropriate
Rupee figure can be obtained by converting the foreign exchange figure through the application of a
rate of exchange which is suitable for that purpose, having regard to normal principles of foreign
currency translation/conversion in accounts. If so desired, the foreign currency figure may also be given
as additional information but this cannot be regarded as mandatory.
11.2.3 While the requirement relating to the disclosure of imports clearly specifies the different heads
under which the disclosure is to be made, and while the requirement relating to foreign exchange
earnings also similarly indicates the specific heads under which the disclosure is to be classified, there
is no such requirement with regard to the disclosure of expenditure in foreign currency. It is true that
the specific items in respect of which such disclosure is to be made have been indicated, but this does
not by itself imply that the disclosure is to be classified with reference to those items. At the same time,
since such classification should not be difficult, it is advisable to classify the foreign currency
expenditure between royalty, know-how, professional consultation fess, interest and other matters. In
other words, the classification as between these items is certainly desirable but is probably not
mandatory, having regard to the precise terms of the Revised Schedule VI. It may also be noted that
under old Schedule VI, for the same requirement, the practice has been to classify between different
heads and disclose.
11.2.4 The various items specified above do not call for any particular comments since they are
expressed through well understood terms. The residual item relating to other matters appears to be
sufficiently exhaustive so as to cover any items for which foreign currency expenditure is involved. It is
necessary to point out that disclosure is required with regard to other matters rather than with regard
to other similar matters. Consequently, it would not be reasonable to infer that disclosure is limited to
items of a nature similar to royalty, know-how, professional consultation fees and interest. At the same
time, however, it would be unreasonable to suggest that disclosure should be made once again with
regard to the expenditure involved in foreign currency for an item whose import value has already been
disclosed in response to the earlier requirement. Ordinarily, the requirement presently under discussion
relates to expenditure on intangible items rather than on the import of tangible goods. However, if any
foreign currency expenditure on the import of tangible goods has not been disclosed pursuant to the
earlier requirements, it would need to be disclosed under this requirement. For example, foreign
currency expenditure on the import of stores may not have been disclosed on the basis that the earlier
requirement necessitates disclosure only with regard to the value of imports of components and spare
parts. In that case, the foreign currency expenditure involved in the import of stores would need to be
disclosed under the requirement presently under discussion since this requirement covers expenditure
in foreign currency on account of royalty, know-how, professional consultation fees, interest and other
matters. Disclosure would also be involved under this requirement of any foreign currency expenditure
in the payment of taxes in an overseas country on income earned in that country in a case where the
payment of such taxes involves actual remittance from India. Where, however, the payment of taxes in

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the overseas country is made through deduction at source rather than by actual remittance from India,
the method of disclosure has been suggested in a subsequent paragraph of this Note dealing with
foreign exchange earnings where it has been recommended that foreign exchange earnings received
subject to deduction of tax at source should be disclosed both gross and net.
11.2.5 The disclosure of expenditure in foreign currency is to be made on accrual basis since all the
items in the Statement of Profit and Loss are stated on an accrual basis.
11.2.6 A further question which needs to be resolved is whether the disclosure is to be made of the
gross amount of the expenditure, or of the net amount after tax deduction at source, in a case where
such deduction is involved. So far as the company in concerned the gross expenditure is the amount of
expenditure incurred in foreign currency even though a part of it may have been paid in Rupees to the
Government to meet the statutory obligation of deducting tax at source. Deduction of tax at source by
itself is not the finality of the matter and is merely a preliminary stage towards settlement of tax liability
of the non-resident. Ultimately, on assessment of the non-resident, the full amount of tax deducted at
source may have to be refunded. In view of this, the preferable course seems to be to disclose the
gross expenditure that has been incurred by the company.
11.2.7 Disclosure is to be limited only to those cases where the company itself incurs a foreign
currency expenditure. Where an expenditure involves foreign currency but the original payment by the
company itself is in Rupees, no disclosure is necessary. For instance, if a company has borrowed a
loan from a Government agency and incurs expenditure in payment of interest on that loan, the
company may be aware that the interest paid by it to the Government agency in Rupees will ultimately
be remitted by the Government agency to a foreign lender. However, since the company itself does not
incur any foreign currency expenditure, no disclosure is required in its accounts.
11.3 Total value of all imported raw materials, spare parts and components consumed during the
financial year and the total value of all indigenous raw materials, spare parts and components
similarly consumed and the percentage of each to the total consumption; [Clause (c) of Note
5(viii)]
11.3.1Apart from the disclosure relating to the C.I.F. value of imports, separate disclosure is also
required with reference to the value of imported raw materials, spare parts and components consumed
during the accounting year. There is no guidance, for the purpose of this requirement, as to the manner
in which the imported materials are to be evaluated i.e., C.I.F. basis or F.O.B. basis or any other basis.
Even though the value of materials imported by the company itself is required to be stated on a C.I.F.
basis, it does not follow that this basis is necessarily appropriate to the disclosure of the value of
imported materials consumed. In the latter case, it would be more appropriate to make the disclosure
on the basis of the actual cost to the company of the imported materials which have been consumed,
since it is this cost which enters into the companys accounts. Consequently, the value of imported
materials consumed should include not only their cost but also incidental expenses directly related to
the purchase of such materials.
There is another reason for this suggestion and that is based on the fact that the value imported
materials consumed is required to be compared with the value of indigenous materials consumed.
Moreover, in the companys accounts, the total figure shown for consumption of materials (inclusive of
indigenous and imported materials) would ordinarily be based on the value inclusive of the cost of such
materials and various incidental charges. Therefore, in order to facilitate correlation with the total
amount shown for consumption of materials in the Statement of Profit and Loss account as well as in
order to facilitate comparison between the value of indigenous consumption and imported consumption,
it is desirable that the value of imported materials consumed should be stated on a similar and
consistent basis by including the cost of such materials and various incidental charges.

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11.3.2 On the face of it, it would appear that this requirement duplicates the earlier requirement relating
to the disclosure of the value of imports of raw materials, components and spare parts. However, there
is a difference. The earlier requirement relates to the disclosure of the value of imports per se
irrespective of whether or not the materials imported have been consumed in the companys
operations. The latter requirement, on the other hand relates only to the value of the imported materials
consumed in the companys operation.
11.3.3 As in the case of earlier requirement, it is not relevant to consider whether or not the imported
materials which have been consumed have necessitated an expenditure in foreign currency. Even if no
foreign currency expenditure is involved, the value of consumption of imported materials is still required
to be disclosed.
11.3.4 The disclosure is to be made in Indian currency by applying normal methods for the translation
of foreign currencies where the original expenditure was incurred in a foreign currency.
11.3.5 A question may arise whether to include the consumption of locally purchased materials of
foreign origin. Apart from the difficulties of ascertaining which locally purchased materials are of
imported origin, it is logical to interpret this requirement as requiring disclosure only of materials
imported directly or indirectly by the company. This would include materials imported directly by the
company as well as indirect imports made to be companys knowledge or at its request through
canalizing agents such as the State Trading Corporation.
11.3.6 It is not entirely clear whether the requirement herein implies that the value of imported raw
materials, spare parts and components should be separately disclosed for each of these three items, or
whether a composite disclosure for all the three items taken together is sufficient. The latter part of this
clause states that the percentage of each to the total consumption is also to be disclosed. This may
be taken to imply that the consumption is to be shown separately for raw materials, spare parts and
components respectively. However, wherever the records for raw materials and components are
maintained together, the information required under this clause can be presented collectively.
11.3.7 While raw materials are undoubtedly consumed in the course of operations, this term is hardly
appropriate to spare parts and components. Spare parts may be utilized for repairs and maintenance or
for other similar purposes, and components may be assembled into the finished product. In either case,
the spare parts and components can hardly be said to have been consumed. However, without going
into the semantics relating to the word consumed, the intention appears to be reasonably clear and
disclosure may, therefore, be made on the basis of indicating the value of imported spare parts and
components utilized in the companys operations.
11.3.8 In addition to disclosing the value of imported raw materials spare parts and components
consumed during the accounting year, disclosure is also required with regard to the value of indigenous
raw materials, spare parts and components similarly consumed during that year. In both cases, the
value of the consumption should be determined on the same identical basis, so that like is compared
with like. Thereafter, it is also required that the relative percentages of consumption value in respect of
imported items and indigenous items should be stated as a percentage of total consumption for each of
the categories of raw materials, spare parts and components respectively.
11.3.9 Care should be taken to ensure that the total consumption agrees with the figures in the
Statement of Profit and Loss. In the case of consumption of raw materials, the separate figures for such
consumption is generally disclosed in one figure in the Statement of Profit and Loss, in which case, the
total consumption classified as between imported and indigenous should agree with this figure.
Sometimes, however, the total consumption of raw materials is not shown as one figure in the
Statement of Profit and Loss. Instead, a note is given indicating the consumption of raw materials

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shown under more than one head of account. In that case, care should be taken to ensure that the total
figure for consumption of raw materials analysed as between imported and indigenous agrees with the
total consumption shown in the Statement of Profit and Loss inclusive of the figure of consumption
charged to other heads of account.
11.3.10 The term spare parts for the purpose of the foregoing requirements would refer to spares for
plant and machinery and other items of a similar nature or intended for a similar purpose. This term
would not ordinarily include stores. The term stores refers to materials and supplies which assist the
manufacturing process but which do not directly enter into the furnished product. It is a term of wider
import than spare parts and ordinarily, the term stores would include spare parts. Since the
present requirement is limited to spare parts, it would appear to be unnecessary to disclose the
separate figures relating to the consumption of stores imported and indigenous. It is somewhat
curious that disclosure should be required with regard to spare parts and not with regard to stores, but
this is nevertheless, the logical interpretation of the words used in the relevant clause. Where the
segregation between stores and spare parts is not possible owing to practical difficulties, the value of
consumption of imported and indigenous stores and spare parts may be shown against a caption which
clearly indicates that the value shown relates to both stores and spare parts.
11.3.11 As regards spare parts, the substantive requirement of Revised Schedule VI (Other expenses
para 9.5.7) requires a composite figure to be disclosed in respect of consumption of stores and spare
parts, whereas the analysis here is required only in respect of consumption of spare parts.
Consequently, the total figure analysed for consumption of spare parts may not agree directly with the
figure disclosed in the Statement of Profit and Loss for consumption of stores and spare parts, unless
in the Statement of Profit and Loss, these two figures are separately itemized. In any case, however, a
reconciliation statement should be kept on the companys working paper files to indicate that the
figures have been agreed.
11.3.12 As regards components, the clause does not indicate clearly whether the classification of
imported and indigenous components is to be restricted to purchased components, or whether it would
also include components manufactured internally. Normally, imported components would in any case
be restricted to those which are purchased, with the possible exception of a rare case in which
components are fabricated outside India by a branch or department of the same company and are then
shipped to India for incorporation into the finished product. Ignoring such an exception, it would appear
that if imported components are to be restricted to those which are purchased, indigenous components
would also have to be similarly restricted, otherwise the comparison would be vitiated. Consequently, it
is suggested that this requirement may be interpreted in a manner whereby the classification of
components between imported and indigenous would be limited to purchased components, ignoring
any components which are manufactured internally.
11.3.13 Under some systems accounting, the consumption is originally charged in the accounts on the
basis of standard or pre-determined rates. Periodically, an adjustment is made in the total consumption
account in order to accord with the actual rates at which relevant materials may have been purchased.
A problem may arise with reference to the classification of the total net debit or credit for such price
adjustment as between imported and indigenous consumption. The most obvious method of solving this
difficulty which should be acceptable in most cases is to allot the total debit or credit adjustment
between imported and indigenous consumption, in the same ratio as the figure for imported and
indigenous consumption prior to such debit or credit adjustment. A similar procedure may also be
followed in the case of any other special debit or credit adjustments which are entered in the
consumption accounts to reflect adjustments to the total consumption figure. On a slightly different
context, a similar problem arises where the same item is partly purchased locally and partly imported

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and stocks are not physically kept separately. In such cases, it appears to be permissible to assume
that consumption is on a pro-rata basis, e.g., in the ratio of opening stock plus purchase.
11.4 Total amount remitted during the year in foreign currencies on account of dividends with a
specific mention of the total number of nonresident shareholders, the total number of shares
held by them on which the dividends were due and the year to which the dividends related
[Clause (d) of Note 5(viii)];
11.4.1 The requirement is to the disclosure with regard to the amount remitted to non-resident
shareholders on account of dividends. This disclosure is to be made with reference to the amount
remitted during the accounting year in foreign currencies. Consequently, if the dividend has been paid
to a non-resident shareholder in Indian Rupees, disclosure would not appear to be necessary. Also, if a
non-resident shareholder has indicated that all dividends payable to him are to be deposited in a Rupee
account with his bankers in India, and if such deposit is actually made on the basis of the necessary
sanctions from the Reserve Bank of India, no disclosure would be required because such a deposit
does not constitute any payment in foreign currency. It is possible that the non-resident shareholder
may ultimately arrange for foreign currency remittances out of his Rupee bank account but this would
be no concern of the company which pays the dividends into his Rupee bank account. However, by
way of additional information, deposits regarding such dividends paid in the bank account may be
given, indicating the fact.
11.4.2 As in the case of other disclosure relating to imports, exports, foreign exchange expenditure and
earnings, etc. the amount to be disclosed in respect of foreign currency dividends is to be stated in
Indian Rupees. If so desired, additional information may be furnished with regard to the foreign
currency equivalent to the dividend, which has been remitted, but the basic requirement is to disclose
the rupee amount. Disclosure of the foreign currency equivalent is not mandatory.
11.4.3 Since disclosure is required with regard to the amount remitted during the year, it would
appear that the information is to be furnished in the year of actual payment of dividend rather than in
the year in which the dividend is proposed or declared. In other words, the disclosure should be made
on a cash basis, contrary to the fact that the other disclosures are to be made on accrual basis.
11.4.4 In addition to the disclosure relating to the amount of dividends remitted in foreign currency,
further disclosure is also required with regard to the number of non-resident shareholders to whom the
dividends were remitted, the number of shares held by them, and the year to which the dividends
relate. These requirements should not be difficult to comply with and no particular problem in likely to
be encountered.
11.4.5 A question may arise as to whether or not any information is to be furnished with regard to the
number of non-resident shareholders and the number of shares held by them, in particular year in
which no dividend has been remitted to the non-resident shareholders. The answer is in negative,
since, as already indicated earlier, the information relating to the number of non-resident shareholders
and the number of shares held by them is intended to be linked to the basic information relating to the
dividends remitted to non-resident shareholders.
11.5 Earnings in Foreign exchange [Clause (e) of Note 5 (viii)]
11.5.1 Foreign exchange earnings have to be classified under the following heads:(i) export of goods calculated on F.O.B. basis;
(ii) royalty, know-how, professional and consultation fees;
(iii) interest and dividends; and
(iv) other income (indicating the nature thereof).

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Part III: Guidance Notes III-167


11.5.2 In this case also, as in the case of disclosure relating to foreign currency expenditure, the
question arises as to whether foreign currency earnings have to be disclosed on a cash basis or on an
accrual basis. The considerations relating to this aspect of the matter are similar to those discussed
earlier in connection with the requirement relating to the disclosure of foreign currency expenditure.
Since the Statement of Profit and Loss is prepared on an accrual basis, it may be suggested that
foreign currency earnings should also be disclosed on a similar basis.
11.5.3 Since, foreign exchange earnings are to be disclosed on an accrual basis, the subsequent
receipt of foreign exchange in a later year should be ignored, as otherwise the same earnings would be
disclosed twice.
11.5.4 A further question which arises is whether the foreign exchange earnings should be disclosed
gross of tax or whether they should be disclosed net of any tax deducted at source in the overseas
country in which earnings have arisen. One way of looking at the matter is that the actual amount of
earnings is the amount received after deduction of overseas tax at source, where such deduction is
involved. On the other hand, the tax which is deducted at source in the overseas country is available by
way of credit against the tax payable in that country. But for this credit, actual or constructive
remittance may be involved from India to the overseas country for the purpose of meeting the tax
liability in that country. It is, therefore, suggested that the more appropriate basis of disclosure would
be gross of tax with a mention of the net of tax earnings and tax deducted at source. A further
advantage of this method of disclosure is that the amount which is so disclosed would agree with the
financial accounts, since, in the books of accounts kept in India, the gross amount of the foreign
exchange earnings would be credited to revenue, while the tax deducted at source would be debited to
an appropriate account relating to payment of taxes.
11.5.5 While the requirement relating to the disclosure of imports requires the value of imports to be
disclosed, the disclosure of exports requires the earnings from export of goods to be disclosed. It
would probably have been more consistent if the relevant clause had required the value of exports to
be disclosed, rather than the earnings.
11.5.6 Considerations that apply in determining whether a purchase is an import by the company will
also apply in determining whether sales is an export by the company. Any sales made direct by the
company through an agent to any overseas buyer is an export by the company. However, goods sold to
any canalizing agent like the State Trading Corporation for export is not the companys export.

12 Multiple Activity Companies


Where a company has multiple activities e.g. both manufacturing and trading i.e. it falls under more
than one category, it should comply with the various disclosure requirements relating to each of its
classified activities. For instance, in respect of its manufacturing activities, such a company should
comply with the requirements relating to a manufacturing company, whereas in respect of its trading or
service activities, it should comply with the requirements relating to those categories of companies.
However, in case of complexities in segregating the required information it would be sufficient
compliance if the information is disclosed with respect to main activities with a suitable disclosure
explaining the reasons therefore.

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